Mosquitoes Composition, Abundance and Distribution In Swampy and Flooded Shoreline Habitats of Lake Baringo, Kenya, During a Period of Extreme Flooding (2012-2013)
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Date
2020
Authors
Kabochi, Samuel K
Mwangi, Benson M
Gicheru, Michael M
Michuki, George N
Onyango, Irene A
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Mosquito Research
Abstract
Mosquito ecology is influenced by wetness in the environment. In 2011-2014, a rise in waters of Lake
Baringo resulted in unprecedented flooding that inundated over 88km2 of the shoreline. A longitudinal
study carried out from October 2012-October 2013 assessed mosquito abundance and diversity in two
habitats. A total of 386,624 mosquitoes were captured, 89% from flooded shoreline and 11% from
swampy habitat. Family Culicinae constituted 10 genera. Mansonia dominated the catches with 98%
from flooded shoreline and swampy habitat 2%. Genetic sequences of Aedes albopictus species was
identified and reported for the first time in the basin. Diversity index was higher in swampy habitat
(Simpson Diversity Index=0.56), compared to flooded shoreline (Simpson diversity index =0.13). Future
recurring floods will result in drastic changes of the ecology and could lead to emergence and reemergence of more species.
Description
A research article published in International Journal of Mosquito Research
Keywords
extreme flooding, flooded shoreline, swamps, mosquito, diversity, Lake Baringo
Citation
Kabochi, S. K., Mwangi, B. M., Gicheru, M. M., Michuki, G. N., & Onyango, I. A. Mosquitoes composition, abundance and distribution in swampy and flooded shoreline habitats of Lake Baringo, Kenya, during a period of extreme flooding.