Host Preferences of Culex pipiens s.l. (Diptera: Culicidae) in Northeastern Turkiye and Theır Implications for the Transmission Ecology of Avian Arboviruses

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Abstract
Understanding the host-feeding patterns of Culex pipiens is essential to elucidate its role in zoonotic transmission cycles. In this study, blood-fed Culex pipiens females were collected from 14 localities across the northeastern provinces of Türkiye between June and September 2022. A total of 42 blood-fed specimens were subjected to DNA extraction, and vertebrate host identification was performed through PCR amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, followed by sequence analysis. The results revealed that Culex pipiens predominantly fed on avian hosts, particularly on both local and migratory bird species such as Fringilla coelebs, Turdus pilaris, Corvus corax, and Cyanistes caeruleus. Mammalian hosts were also detected, including Rattus norvegicus, Canis lupus, and Homo sapiens, suggesting opportunistic feeding behavior. Phylogenetic analysis of COI sequences confirmed accurate host identification and demonstrated clear clustering patterns among avian and mammalian taxa. This study provides the first molecular insights into the host preferences of Culex pipiens in northeastern Türkiye. The findings highlight the species’ predominant ornithophilic tendency while emphasizing its potential bridge-vector capacity between avian and mammalian hosts. Despite limitations due to the small number of blood-fed specimens and the narrow time window for DNA retrieval, this study contributes valuable regional data and supports future ecological and epidemiological assessments of vector–host interactions in Türkiye and beyond.

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