Abstract
BackgroundCharacteristics of aquatic habitats determine whether mosquitoes will oviposit, hatch, develop, pupate and successfully emerge into adults or not, thus influencing which mosquito species will occupy a habitat. This study determined whether physiochemical and biological characteristics differ between habitats with high and low presence of anopheline larvae.MethodsPhysical, chemical and biological characteristics were evaluated in selected habitats twice per month within three highland valleys in western Kenya. Aquatic macro-organisms were sampled using a sweep-net. Colorimetric methods were used to determine levels of iron, phosphate, nitrate, ammonium and nitrite in water samples. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) was used to compare parameters between the two categories of anopheline presence.ResultsHabitats with high anopheline presence had greater abundance of mosquito aquatic stages and tadpoles and two times more levels of nitrate in water, whereas habitats with low anopheline presence had wider biofilm cover and higher levels of iron in water.ConclusionHabitats of high and low presence of anopheline larvae, which differed in a number of physical, chemical and biological characteristics, were identified in valleys within western Kenya highlands. Differences in habitat characteristics are critical in determining the number of anopheline larvae that will fully develop and emerge into adults.
Highlights
Characteristics of aquatic habitats determine whether mosquitoes will oviposit, hatch, develop, pupate and successfully emerge into adults or not, influencing which mosquito species will occupy a habitat
Aquatic habitats are an important component of the process that results in malaria transmission
Understanding habitat bio-physicochemical characteristics, anopheline larval dynamics and productivity of adult malaria vectors can be useful in improving Larval Source Management (LSM) operations
Summary
Characteristics of aquatic habitats determine whether mosquitoes will oviposit, hatch, develop, pupate and successfully emerge into adults or not, influencing which mosquito species will occupy a habitat. Mosquito life cycle processes including oviposition, larval development, pupation and emergence occur in aquatic habitats. These habitats are crucial in determining the types of malaria vectors present in an area, their abundance and the population dynamics of emerging adult mosquitoes [1,2]. Immature stages of malaria vectors prefer different habitat types [3,4,5]. These habitats differ in their physical, chemical and biological characteristics [6]. Understanding habitat bio-physicochemical characteristics, anopheline larval dynamics and productivity of adult malaria vectors can be useful in improving Larval Source Management (LSM) operations
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