Species Interactions Among Larval Mosquitoes: Context Dependence Across Habitat Gradients

Abstract

Biotic interactions involving mosquito larvae are context dependent, with effects of interactions on populations altered by ecological conditions. Relative impacts of competition and predation change across a gradient of habitat size and permanence. Asymmetrical competition is common and ecological context changes competitive advantage, potentially facilitating landscape-level coexistence of competitors. Predator effects on mosquito populations sometimes depend on habitat structure and on emergent effects of multiple predators, particularly interference among predators. Nonlethal effects of predators on mosquito oviposition, foraging, and life history are common, and their consequences for populations and for mosquito-borne disease are poorly understood. Contextdependent beneficial effects of detritus shredders on mosquitoes occur in container habitats, but these interactions appear to involve more than simple resource modification by shredders. Investigations of context-dependent interactions among mosquito larvae will yield greater understanding of mosquito population dynamics and provide useful model systems for testing theories of context dependence in communities.

Ecología de Aedes aegypti y Aedes albopictus en América y la transmisión de enfermedades

“…Entre los mecanismos postulados como causantes de los patrones observados de abundancia y desplazamiento, se encuentran la competencia por recursos limitados (18)(19)(20), las diferencias en la capacidad de soportar la inanición (15,21) …”

Effect of food types on competitive interaction between Aedes aegypti (LINNAEUS, 1762) and Ae. albopictus (SKUSE, 1894) (Diptera, Culicidae): a proximate level appraisal

“…aegypti and Ae. albopictus to a considerable extent (AGNEW et al 2002, JULIANO 2009 and can thus be considered a vital factor for disease transmission potential (ALTO et al 2008a(ALTO et al , 2008b. The disease transmission potential of dengue vectors is linked with the fitness of the mosquitoes (JULIANO et al 2014), reflected through body size and various life history traits that are influenced by larval development and the resources acquired during the larval stages.…”

“…On a comparative scale, the outcome of competitive interactions is context-dependent, with the presence of one food type favouring one of the two species (DAUGHERTY et al 2000, MURRELL & JULIANO 2008. However, variation of the amount of food was used as a factor influencing the outcome of the competition in majority of instances (JULIANO 2009). In the present study, food quality was a factor that influenced the outcome of competition as measured by the life history traits.…”

“…The outcome of both interspecific and intraspecific competition influences the population dynamics of both these mosquito species, as is evident from different laboratory and field studies (AGNEW et al 2002, GAVOTTE et al 2009, GILLES et al 2011. Competitive effects can be evaluated through variations in life history traits like pupal weight, adult weight and wing length (AGNEW et al 2002, JULIANO 2009. The life history traits in mosquitoes are determined by the larval feeding characteristics, which in turn depend on the resources available in their habitats.…”

“…aegypti and Ae. albopictus (JULIANO 2009). Assessment of variations in life history traits is a feasible way of accounting for competitive interactions within and between mosquito species.…”