Biotypology of Culicidian Species in the Region of Fez, Central Morocco Using the Statistical Analytical Methods.

Controlling mosquitoes responsible for discomfort and serious contagious diseases, such as malaria, requires a better understanding of the vector-environment relationship. Therefore, the present study examined the biotypology of Culicidian species in the Fez Region, Central Morocco, using statistical analytical methods. Entomological investigations and measurements of the physicochemical parameters of the water breeding sites were carried out simultaneously from November 2015 to December 2016 in the region of Fez, Central Morocco. Multivariate analytical methods, including principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), were used to investigate the correlation between environmental factors and the bioecological characteristics of each species. The identification of 1,531 Culicidae larvae collected from the different breeding sites revealed the presence of 11 species belonging to five genera (Anopheles, Culex, Culiseta, Aedes, and Uranotaenea). The larvae of Anopheles maculipennis (the major malaria vector in Morocco) and the larvae of A. sergentii (the secondary vector), as well as Culex pipiens larvae, were collected among the species at the level of the prospected breeding sites. It was observed that the Shanon-Wiener diversity index (H’) values were higher in areas with a high population of species compared to those with a low population of species. The multivariate analytical methods revealed many groups of species depending on many parameters. This research represents an original and rigorous approach to the vector-environment relationship in the Fez Region of Morocco. It has important implications for the control of mosquito vectors and the prevention of vector-borne diseases, thereby contributing to public health in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]