Bird-biting mosquitoes act as bridge vectors of diverse pathogens of emerging infectious diseases. In this study, we report for the first time the abundance, diversity, distribution, and feeding pattern of bird-biting mosquitoes on an island where avifaunal diversity is rich. Monthly mosquito collections were done at six different habitats in three different climatic zones using bird-baited traps over a year. Collected mosquitoes were identified using morphological and molecular tools. A total of 2,655 bird-biting mosquitoes of eight genera and 25 species were identified. Of these, 52% were Culex species, which represents 35% of the Culex species in the country. The most abundant species were Culex sitiens, Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. nigropunctatus and Cx. quinquefasciatus, whereas the latter two were common to all habitats. The highest abundance was reported in lowland forests (49.6%), while it was lowest in highland forests (22.3%). Highest species similarity was reported from highland forests. Seasonal variations of the most abundant species were significantly different in selected habitats (p< 0.05). Two distinct biting peaks were identified, from 06:00 to 21:00 and 22:00 to 02:00. The biting nature of identified ornithophilic mosquitoes suggests the potential vector status of these mosquitoes.
1. Resource partitioning is a critical component in competing species that coexist in a community. The biting behaviour of coexisting frog‐biting mosquito species associated with a tropical anuran community is investigated. 2. Monthly samplings were taken for 2 years at two study sites in central Sri Lanka to collect frog‐biting mosquitoes, anuran abundance, environmental data, and interactions between mosquitoes and anuran hosts. Mosquitoes were collected using mouth‐operated aspirators and sound traps broadcasting anuran calls. Mosquitoes were identified using taxonomic keys and DNA barcodes. 3. A total of 1079 frog‐biting mosquitoes from four species belonging to two genera were collected [Uranotaenia rutherfordi (5%), Ur. morphotype 1 (67%), Ur. morphotype 2 (21%), and Mansonia uniformis (7%)]. Species‐specific interactions between Uranotaenia mosquitoes and their anuran host were found. Uranotaenia morphotype 1, the most common species, was mainly attracted (99%) to Duttaphrynus melanostictus. Uranotaenia rutherfordi was mainly attracted (95%) to Pseudophilautus rus, while Ur. morphotype 2 was attracted (97%) to Polypedates cruciger. These Uranotaenia species are active at different hours at night that correspond to the peak calling activity of their anuran host. Each Uranotaenia species was active at heights that coincide with the calling sites of their host. In contrast, Ma. uniformis was non‐specific in host choice and was equally distributed in space and time with respect to host feeding. 4. Here, previously unknown feeding patterns of co‐occurring frog‐biting mosquito species and their interactions with anurans present in their community are reported, highlighting the existence of complex behavioural patterns of these mosquito communities.
We investigated the physicochemical properties and the biotic interactions of breeding sites of tropical mosquito species. Field sampling was done in 12 study areas in Sri Lanka covering areas with secondary natural forests and human settlements. A total of 226 breeding sites were investigated to determine the biotic interactions and physiochemical properties of breeding water (pH, Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, Total Dissolved Solids and Temperature). A total of 80.5% of breeding sites from both habitats were positive for mosquito larvae of seven genera and 24 species. Orthopodomyia flavithorax (297) and Aedes albopictus (295) were dominated in tree holes of Alstonia macrophylla, Vateria copallifera and Artocarpus nobilis. Diversity indices showed that the diversity of mosquitoes is high in wet zone habitats of Sri Lanka compared to dry and intermediate zone habitats. Aedes albopictus coexisted with 11 different mosquito species while it avoided larvae of Culex fuscanus, Cx. uniformis and Tripteroides affinis. Strong positive associations were reported between Ae. albopictus and Ar. subalbatus while larvae of Or. flavithorax mosquitoes were not co‐occurred with the larvae of Ae. vittatus, Ae. aegypti, Cx. sitiens, Ar. subalbatus, Anopheles spp and Tr. affinis. The findings identified the breeding adaptability and tolerance to a wide range of physiochemical properties of tropical mosquito communities.
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