Doctoral Thesis
Diversity, Drivers, and Distributions: A Foundation for Mosquito and Disease Surveillance in Perth, Western Australia
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Murdoch University
2026
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60867/00000147
Abstract
Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) cause over 700,000 deaths annually and transmit 17% of global infectious diseases. With over 3,500 known species worldwide, the composition of mosquito populations plays a critical role in the presence, transmission and persistence of mosquito-borne pathogens. Mosquitoes are highly sensitive to environmental conditions, with species exhibiting specific adaptations to climatic and landscape conditions, driving shifts in mosquito biodiversity.
In a rapidly changing world, driven by climate change and anthropogenic expansion, mosquito populations and the pathogens they carry will consequently shift in parallel. Understanding mosquito diversity and pathogen presence is therefore essential for effective monitoring and predicting disease risk.
This study establishes foundational knowledge through a two-year surveillance of adult mosquito populations within Perth, Western Australia (2022-2024). Mosquitoes were collected from 10 metropolitan locations and morphologically identified. Genetic barcoding of representative specimens for each species collected at each sampling site revealed greater genetic diversity than what was identified morphologically. Statistical analyses were employed to assess population and species-specific responses to landscape and climate variables. Overall, mosquito abundance was greater in highly urbanised areas near natural water sources. Responses to landscape and climatic conditions varied among species, demonstrating persistence of medically significant mosquito species across seasons and landscapes.
Mosquito-borne parasites and viruses were screened using targeted PCR assays and high-throughput sequencing, respectively. This study detected a diverse range of avian Haemosporida within the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus, primarily within Culex species. Additionally, a variety of insect-specific viruses were detected in six endemic mosquito species. No medically significant viruses or Dirofilaria species were identified from molecular methods.
These findings demonstrate the diversity of mosquito populations and their associated pathogens within Perth. By demonstrating species-specific sensitivity to external landscape and climatic conditions, this research provides critical baseline ecological data to inform future surveillance strategies and predictive modelling of mosquito-borne disease risk.
Details
- Title
- Diversity, Drivers, and Distributions: A Foundation for Mosquito and Disease Surveillance in Perth, Western Australia
- Authors/Creators
- Ashleigh M Peck
- Contributors
- Amanda Ash (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic SciencesAlan Lymbery (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic EcosystemsSiobhon Egan (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Identifiers
- 991005907378907891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
- Resource Type
- Doctoral Thesis
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: SDGs in the Output
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