The Mosquitoes of Querétaro, Mexico: Distribution, Ecology, and Discovery of Shannoniana huasteca n. sp. (Diptera: Culicidae)

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

It is a very good manuscript representing the nowadays inventory of mosquitoes inhabiting Querétaro State. In addition, the authors introduced S. huasteca as a novel species. For such a purpose, morphological and molecular analyses were carried out together with detailed descriptions of sub-regions and localities sampled and as well as their physiography. Also, a key species of the genus Shannoniana were provided. Regarding the medical importance of the mosquitoes listed in the state, as pointed out by the authors, if am not mistaken, I have missed some information that the authors may want to consider: Are the areas sampled protected? In this sense, do actions to control mosquito populations make sense?. How near/far are the mosquito habitats from human populations?

Author Response

It is a very good manuscript representing the nowadays inventory of mosquitoes inhabiting Querétaro State. In addition, the authors introduced S. huasteca as a novel species. For such a purpose, morphological and molecular analyses were carried out together with detailed descriptions of sub-regions and localities sampled and as well as their physiography. Also, a key species of the genus Shannoniana were provided. Regarding the medical importance of the mosquitoes listed in the state, as pointed out by the authors, if am not mistaken, I have missed some information that the authors may want to consider: Are the areas sampled protected? In this sense, do actions to control mosquito populations make sense?. How near/far are the mosquito habitats from human populations?

Authors are grateful for the reviewer comments. In Querétaro, there are one area  protected (Biosphere Reserve of Sierra Gorda), this region is in the northern of state and was sampled on numerous times during our collections. Since the human populations are lower in this region, there is not great mosquito control activities over there, however, the Mexican national program keep a mosquito surveillance in this region. Northern Querétaro is the most conserved area in all the state.  

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments to the Author
The manuscript "The Mosquitoes of Querétaro, Mexico: Distribution, Ecology and Discovery of Shannoniana huasteca n. sp. (Diptera: Cu-licidae)" is potentially interesting and fits well with the topic Diversity and Distribution of Vector Insects

The article is devoted to the collection and analysis of mosquito diversity in the Querétaro State of México. Collection trips were conducted in 3 geographic regions of the state (Sierra Madre Oriental, Central Plateau, and Neo-Volcanic Axis). In addition, mosquito specimens previously collected in Querétaro and deposited in the Collection of Arthropods of Medical Importance (CAIM) were studied. 50 mosquito species (33 new) were discovered in the region. New records of mosquito species found in Querétaro were ecologically described in the paper. Moreover, associated species for each collection indicated in the table 3.

Unfortunately, mosquitoes (except one species) were identified only morphologically. Analysis of DNA was performed only for one new species, Shannoniana huasteca n. sp. Seven COI sequences of Shannoniana huasteca n. sp. (Fig 3) were obtained in this study, combined with 18 from BOLD and then compared. Barcoding of other species could reveal hidden mosquito diversity.

In this work an integrated systematic approach was done using morphology and DNA barcoding to ascertain the taxonomic status of Shannoniana spp only. A new species was described, albeit only on the basis of adult analysis. Larvae or pupae were not found. Which means, it is necessary to check further whether the population of Shannoniana huasteca n. sp. has been established in Querétaro.

 

Minor corrections:

In the beginn of Introduction:

 "In Querétaro state, 16 mosquito spe-cies had been previously reported,"

But in Table 1 are 17 previously reported species.

 

2.1 " description of the regions and subregions of Querétaro and a list of the municipalities sampled in are given in Table" - in which Table? 2 is miss.

COI must be italic in all text and legends

3.2.2. " females of this species was collected ap-proaching to humans with biting intention,.."

3.2.6. "Immature stages of Cs inornata were.." dot missing

3.2.7. italics in species names missing

3.2.9." Adult female of Sh. huasteca n. sp. were collected approaching to humans with biting intention and males were collected resting in vegetation and approaching to humans together the females." must be checked

3.3. "although there was a deep split in Sh. fluviatilis (BOLD:ACZ4319, BOLD:ACZ4320) and Sh. schedocyclia (BOLD:ACZ3895, BOLD:ACZ:3895), where two BINs were found in each taxa." - the same numbers

3.3 " In Sh. fluviatilis the ge-netic divergence was above (3.96%). (above 2%)."

4.1. "The species of each group have similar geographical distributions, reaching their southern or southern distri-butional limits across the state.

What is the meaning of this information from section 4.2. Species from adjacent regions that may occur in Querétaro? You did not find all these species. 

4.4. "The specimens we here identified as Sh. huasteca n. sp. separates with strong support values from those identifies as Sh. moralesi,"

17 citations from the authors' own works from 57 References. It is too much self citation.

Author Response

Dear reviewers/editors:

The manuscript "The Mosquitoes of Querétaro, Mexico: Distribution, Ecology and Discovery of Shannoniana huasteca n. sp. (Diptera: Culicidae)" was reviewed and edited according suggestions and comments by reviewers. As result of those actions, the ms was improved.

The idiomatic and English grammar was improved. Also, the introductions was improved too. 

Originally, all mosquito species found in Querétaro were going to be barcoded, but we failed to obtain DNA in good quality from most species. Since we wanted to prove the identity of the new species using barcode, we decided to carry out additional collections for this species and obtain fresh tissue to barcode.

All specific points marked in yellow were corrected.

References were not modified because we consider that they are all important and mention important data for this article. 

Finally, one author Thomas J. Zavortink decided not appear as author of this article for personal reasons. He kindly requested that we removed his name from the list of authors. 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

I have been satisfied with the manuscript since the first version. I made a comment  to the authors as they provide a vector list that has obvious implications to public health. The explanation solved my question/doubt but perhaps the reader will not be aware of it. 

Author Response

Thank you 

Reviewer 2 Report

Although the authors corrected the text, some errors remained:

3.2.7. Genus Limatus 234

The tribe Sabethini, genera Limatus, Sabethes, Shannoniana, and Wyeomyia; subgen-235 era Sabethoides, Triamyia, and Wyeomyia; species Li. durhammi, Sa. chloropterus, Sh. 236 huasteca, Wy. apronoma, Wy. adelpha / guatemala, and Wy. mitchellii are recorded for 237 the first time in Querétaro. Immature stages of Li. durhamii were collected from an artifi-238 cial container with clear water in one location with no associated species.

 3.3. "although there was a deep split in Sh. fluviatilis (BOLD:ACZ4319, BOLD:ACZ4320) and Sh. schedocyclia (BOLD:ACZ3895, BOLD:ACZ:3895), where two BINs were found in each taxa." - the same numbers

you can avoid the same numbers : "... and Sh. schedocyclia (BOLD:ACZ3895 (FGMOS1126-16,FGMOS816-16), where two BINs were found in each taxa (Fig. 3)."

 

After correction, the article can be published in Special Issue Diversity, Distribution and Phylogeny of Vector Insects

Author Response

Dear reviewer:

All suggestions were considered and incorporated into the text.

Thank you