Evaluating larval mosquito resource partitioning in western Kenya using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen

Particle and Fibre Toxicology

Guiyun Yan⁴  Andrew K Githeko¹  Yaw A Afrane¹  Eliningaya J Kweka²  Thomas M Gilbreath³ 

[1] Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P. O. Box 1578, Kisumu 40100, Kenya;Division of Livestock and Human Diseases Vector Control, Mosquito Section, Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Ngaramtoni, Off Nairobi Road, P.O. Box 3024, Arusha, Tanzania;Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, 3501b Hewitt Hall, Irvine, CA 92697, USA;Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA

关键词: Trophic preferences;    δ¹⁵N;    δ¹³C;    Resource partitioning;    Stable isotopes;    An. gambiae;   

Others  :  823590
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-3305-6-353

 received in 2013-06-28, accepted in 2013-12-02,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria, transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito, remains one of the foremost public health concerns. Anopheles gambiae, the primary malaria vector in sub-Saharan Africa, is typically associated with ephemeral, sunlit habitats; however, An. gambiae larvae often share these habitats with other anophelines along with other disease-transmitting and benign mosquito species. Resource limitations within habitats can constrain larval density and development, and this drives competitive interactions among and between species.

Methods

We used naturally occurring stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen to identify resource partitioning among co-occurring larval species in microcosms and natural habitats in western Kenya. We used two and three source mixing models to estimate resource utilization (i.e. bacteria, algae, organic matter) by larvae.

Results

Laboratory experiments revealed larval δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N composition to reflect the food sources they were reared on. Resource partitioning was demonstrated between An. gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae sharing the same microcosms. Differences in larval δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N content was also evident in natural habitats, and Anopheles species were consistently more enriched in δ¹³C when compared to culicine larvae.

Conclusions

These observations demonstrate inter-specific resource partitioning between Cx. quinquefasciatus and An. gambiae larvae in natural habitats in western Kenya. This information may be translated into opportunities for targeted larval control efforts by limiting specific larval food resources, or through bio-control utilizing competitors at the same trophic level.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Gilbreath et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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