Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Assemblages in Urban Recreational Interdunal Lagoons of Veracruz, Mexico

Urban coastal wetlands constitute important ecological interfaces where human activities, wildlife, and arthropod vectors interact, potentially increasing the risk of pathogen transmission. In the city of Veracruz, Mexico, several interdunal lagoons have been incorporated into urban areas and are intensively used for recreational activities; however, information on their mosquito fauna remains limited. This study aimed to characterize mosquito species composition, abundance, and diversity in three urban recreational interdunal lagoons in Veracruz. Adult mosquitoes were collected weekly during the rainy season (June–September) 2023 using CDC light traps. Specimens were identified based on morphological characters using standard taxonomic keys, including genitalia dissections for male specimens when necessary. Species richness, sampling completeness, and community structure were evaluated using non-parametric richness estimators, diversity indices, species accumulation curves, and similarity analyses. A total of 1465 adult mosquitoes belonging to 11 species and five genera were collected. Mosquito assemblages were characterized by low species richness and a marked dominance of Culex panocossa and Culex quinquefasciatus across all lagoons. Diversity indices were low, and species composition showed a high degree of similarity among sites. Notably, Uranotaenia apicalis was recorded for the first time in the state of Veracruz, expanding its known geographical distribution. These findings indicate that urban interdunal lagoons support simplified mosquito communities dominated by disturbance-tolerant species, highlighting their potential epidemiological relevance and the need for targeted vector surveillance in urban coastal environments.