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Spatio-temporal distribution of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae), mechanical vector of infectious diseases in the city of Yaoundé (Centre-Cameroon)

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Abstract

The distribution pattern of the fly Chrysomya megacephala in the city of Yaoundé in Cameroon is poorly known despite its medical relevance. Following three types of standing (urbanization level) (medium standing, spontaneous standing, and peri-urban standing), we conducted monthly catches of adult flies on three types of waste (organic, inorganic, and animal paddock). The occurrence, distribution pattern, and seasonal abundance associated with abiotic factors (temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation) of C. megacephala were studied. In total, 656 fly individuals were sampled across all sites, with the highest abundance observed in mixed organic waste in spontaneous standings. Seasonal fluctuations revealed two peaks of C. megacephala abundance, one during the long dry season and the other during the short rainy season. Spearman’s correlation test showed that fly’s abundance is not significantly linked to temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. The occurrences data revealed that C. megacephala in the urban area of Yaoundé, C. megacephala was constant, incidental or accidental species. Chrysomya megacephala was constant only in mixed organic matter of spontaneous standings. The Fisher, Neyman and Morisita indices show that the mode of distribution of C. megacephala was aggregative. Current vector control strategies should also target sarcophagus insects like C. megacephala to reduce its abundance and the burden of hydric diseases in Yaoundé neighborhoods.

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(source: Nkolbisson weather station in Yaoundé)

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Plant and Animal Protection Team for their assistance in data collection and statistical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant and Animal Protection Unit, Zoology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Linda S. Guiadem, Arnaud N. Mballa & Sévilor Kekeunou

  2. Parasitology and Ecology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Christian T. Dhuideu

  3. Vocational School of Technical Sciences, Department of Plant and Animal Production, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, 40100, Turkey

    Hakan Bozdoğan

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  1. Linda S. Guiadem
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  2. Christian T. Dhuideu
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  5. Sévilor Kekeunou
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GSL carried out the data collection, analyzed the data wrote the manuscript. DTC analyzed the data and made the figures. BH read and corrected the article, MNA helped with the data collection in the field, KS supervised the work, help with data analysis and writing of the article.

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Correspondence to Linda S. Guiadem.

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Guiadem, L.S., Dhuideu, C.T., Bozdoğan, H. et al. Spatio-temporal distribution of Chrysomya megacephala (Diptera: Calliphoridae), mechanical vector of infectious diseases in the city of Yaoundé (Centre-Cameroon). Int J Trop Insect Sci 43, 617–627 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-023-00969-w

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