Abstract
The occurrence of major outbreaks of dengue, and other vector borne diseases such as chikungunya and zika in tropical and subtropical regions has rendered control of the diseases a top-priority for many affected countries including Malaysia. Control of the mosquito vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus through the reduction of breeding sites and the application of insecticides to kill immature forms and adults are the main control efforts to combat these diseases. The present study describes the association between Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti in shared breeding sites. This study is important given that any measure taken against one species may affect the other. A yearlong larval survey was conducted in four dengue endemic areas of Penang Island. Sorenson’s coefficient index indicated that no association between number of the immatures of the two species regardless of container size and study location. Therefore, the mean number Ae. albopictus immature was not decreased in the presence of Ae. aegypti in shared breeding container. However Ae. aegypti appeared to prefer breeding in habitats not occupied by Ae. albopictus, the two species sharing breeding sites only where available containers were limited. In control efforts, eliminating the preferred breeding containers for one species might not affect or reduce the population of the other species.
Highlights
A species would not be able to survive on its own but lives together with other organisms to form a community in the same habitat
The present study describes the association between Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti in shared breeding sites
Climatological data for Penang Island including rainfall, mean relative humidity and mean temperature were obtained from the Malaysian Meteorological Station located at Penang International Airport
Summary
A species would not be able to survive on its own but lives together with other organisms to form a community in the same habitat. Interspecific association shows similarity of habitat requirements and interactions between species (Cole 1949). Population of Aedes albopictus and Ae. aegypti are common in urban and rural areas of Malaysia (Nazni et al 2009; Saifur et al 2013; Basari et al 2016). Both are sympatric species, and coexist in similar habitat (Klowden 1993; Gilotra et al 1967; Sprenger & Wuithirsnysgool 1986; O’ Meara et al 1993; Chen et al 2006a). Two species try to coexist in same ecological niches, species replacement or displacement tend to occur. Hawley (1988) reported that species replacement occurred in particular in the North of America, where Ae. aegypti abundance had been reduced as a result of competition with Ae. albopictus
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