Research Information System
Globalization, climate change, and human mobility are accelerating the spread of invasive mosquito species, such as Anopheles stephensi Liston, 1901, which increases malaria risks in Europe and nearby regions. Anopheles stephensi adapts to urban and natural habitats, spreading via shipping, migration, and trade. Mapping its potential spread routes is critical for vector control. This study used Species Distribution Modeling (SDM), Cost-Connectivity (CC), and Least Cost Path (LCP) analyses to identify suitable habitats and distribution routes in T & uuml;rkiye and Europe. SDM showed annual mean temperature (BIO1) and isothermality (BIO3) as key bioclimatic factors, with suitable habitats in southern T & uuml;rkiye, the Aegean coast, Greece, southern Italy, and Mediterranean regions. CC analysis linked An. stephensi to India and the Arabian Peninsula, with spread to Africa. LCP analysis indicated routes from the Arabian Peninsula to the Euphrates, Tigris, and Asia basins, as well as to Italy and Spain via the southern Mediterranean and Balkans through T & uuml;rkiye, potentially reaching Eastern Europe via the Caucasus. The Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, as well as port cities in T & uuml;rkiye, Greece, Italy, and Spain, are high-risk areas. T & uuml;rkiye's location, climate, and wetlands make it a critical ecological corridor for An. stephensi in Europe.
