Feeding strategy and prey selectivity in Cnesterodon decemmaculatus and Jenynsia multidentata in experimental enclosures: Importance for the biological control of mosquito populations

Abstract

Mosquitoes pose a threat to human and animal health due they act as vectors for numerous pathogens and parasites which cause disease. Several methods are used to control mosquito populations. Chemical pesticides can be harmful to human health and others lifeforms, including natural predators, and mosquitoes have been well documented to develop resistance through time. Alternative methods for mosquito control must be explored, being the biological control an effective and environmentally friendly strategy; when this is carried out with native species that are not exported out of their natural limits. The most widely used biocontrol agents of mosquito populations are the fishes of the genus Gambusia spp., nevertheless, these species have become invasive species in several places where they have introduced affecting non-target species. Widespread native fish species could be an appropriate alternative to these invasive species and circumvent their negative impacts. C. decemmaculatus and J. multidentata are widely distributed native fish of temperate zones of South America. The main goal of our work was analyze the feeding strategy and prey selectivity in Cnesterodon decemmaculatus and Jenynsia multidentata focusing on mosquito biocontrol implications. The feeding strategy observed for both C. decemmaculatus and J. multidentata showed that the items that had the highest percent of prey-specific abundance were the mosquito larvae. The selectivity index displayed by C. decemmaculatus and J. multidentata suggested a significant selection for mosquito larvae and a significant avoidance of copepods. In this work, the active selection of C. decemmaculatus and J. multidentata for mosquito larvae was determined, allowing us to propose and support their use as useful species for the biological control of mosquitoes.