[Spatial distribution of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis in the Yungas de Salta rainforest, Argentina].

OBJECTIVE To compare the abundance of Anopheles pseudopunctipennis and other anopheline mosquitoes in three different wild areas, modified by human activities, and to verify how environmental differences affect the spatial distribution of these mosquitoes. METHODS Samples were collected monthly from December 2001 to December 2002 in Yungas de Salta, Argentina. CO2 -baited CDC light traps were placed at each sample site (forest, transition area and peridomiciliary area). In the peridomiciliary area, two agents also suctioned mosquitoes from house walls. Species diversity and abundance indices were estimated and the study sample sites were compared by ANOVA, cosine calculations and cluster analyses. RESULTS Anopheles pseudopunctipennis was the most abundant species. An. argyritarsis, An. nuneztovari, An. rangeli and An. strodei were also collected. Except for An. nuneztovari that was not captured in the peridomiciliary area, the other species were collected in the three different environments. There were no differences in the diversity indices and between sample sites. However, the cluster analysis showed the transition area to be more abundant for all species. CONCLUSIONS The highest abundance of species was found in the transition area, which, besides the peridomiciliary area, is the main area of risk for malarial transmission.