Predatory and competitive interaction in Anopheles gambiae sensu lato larval breeding habitats in selected villages of central Uganda
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Parasites & vectors
Abstract
Malaria is often persistent in communities surrounded by mosquito breeding habitats. Anopheles
gambiae sensu lato exploit a variety of aquatic habitats, but the biotic determinants of its preferences are poorly
understood. This study aimed to identify and quantify macroinvertebrates in different habitat types with determined
water physico-chemical parameters to establish those preferred by An. gambiae s.l. larvae as well as their predators
and competitors.
Methods: A field survey was conducted in Kibuye and Kayonjo villages located in the vicinity of the River Sezibwa,
north-eastern Uganda to identify Anopheline larval habitats shared by aquatic insects. Habitats were geo-recorded
and as streams, ponds, temporary pools and roadside ditches. From October to December 2017, random microhabitats/
quadrats were selected from each habitat type, their water physico-chemical parameters (electrical conductivity,
total dissolved solids, temperature and pH) were measured, and they were sampled for macroinvertebrates using
standard dippers. All collected arthropod macroinvertebrates were then morphologically identified to family level and
enumerated.
Results: Principal component analysis showed that the four larval habitat types were characterized by distinct
physico-chemical parameter profiles. Ponds and streams had the highest number and diversity of macroinvertebrate
insect taxa and sustained few An. gambiae s.l. larvae. Anopheles gambiae s.l. were more common in roadside ditches
and particularly abundant in temporary pools which it commonly shared with Dytiscidae (predaceous diving beetles)
and Culex spp. Cluster correlation analysis conducted on the abundance of these taxa within quadrats suggested
that An. gambiae s.l. and Dytiscidae have the most similar patterns of microhabitat use, followed by Cybaeidae (water
spiders). Whilst Culex spp. co-occurred with An. gambiae s.l. in some habitats, there was only partial niche overlap and
no clear evidence of competition between the two mosquito taxa.
Conclusions: Ponds and streams are habitats that host the largest diversity and abundance of aquatic insect taxa.
Anopheles gambiae s.l. larvae distinctively preferred temporary pools and roadside ditches, where they were exposed
Description
Keywords
Anopheles gambiae, Malaria, larval breeding
Citation
Onen, H., Odong, R., Chemurot, M., Tripet, F., & Kayondo, J. K. (2021). Predatory and competitive interaction in Anopheles gambiae sensu lato larval breeding habitats in selected villages of central Uganda. Parasites & vectors, 14(1), 1-15.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04926-9