Spatial distribution of mosquitoes in Golestan province, Northern Iran: A faunistic survey with public health relevance

<ns3:p>Background Mosquitoes are key vectors of diseases. A survey of mosquito diversity in the eastern region of the Hyrcanian forests of Northern Iran was conducted, collecting data from nine counties in Golestan Province between April and December 2024. Methods Various methods were used to capture adult mosquitoes for identification. Dominance levels of mosquito species were assessed, and biodiversity indices were calculated for species richness and diversity. Results A total of 819 adult mosquitoes were collected, including 491 identified females, 70 unidentified, 23 males, and 235 non-biting midges. Six species were identified, with <ns3:italic>Culex tritaeniorhynchus</ns3:italic> being the most abundant, followed by <ns3:italic>Anopheles hyrcanus.</ns3:italic> Distribution maps were prepared for all collected species. The biodiversity analysis indicated an evenness of 33.4%, suggesting unequal species abundances. The high Simpson Dominance Index value (0.73) points to <ns3:italic>Culex tritaeniorhynchus</ns3:italic> as the eudominant species in the studied area. Conclusions The study in Golestan Province identified key vectors impacting humans and animals. This dataset serves as a foundational asset for implementing efficient management approaches against mosquito-borne diseases. Understanding mosquito fauna and diversity is crucial for managing diseases they transmit, and the taxonomy of Culicidae is an important area of research for medical and veterinary purposes.</ns3:p>