Larval interference competition between the native Neotropical mosquito Limatus durhamii and the invasive Aedes aegypti improves the fitness of both species

AbstractInterspecific competition with native species during biological invasions can sometimes limit alien expansion. We aimed to determine the potential ecological effects ofLimatus durhamii Theobald 1901, a native Neotropical mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) species, on the invasive speciesAedes (Stegomyia)aegypti (Linnaeus 1762) that breeds in the same artificial water containers. Development time and adult dry mass were measured in 3 rearing conditions: control (a single larva), intraspecific competition (2 conspecific larvae), and interspecific competition (2 heterospecific larvae). Food was providedad libitum to eliminate exploitative competition. ForAe. aegypti, development time was not affected by interspecific interference competition (nonsignificant differences with the control) and the adult dry mass was significantly higher, meaning that individual fitness likely increased. Yet, because previous studies showed longer development time and lighter adults during competition with other invasive mosquitoes, it is likely thatAe. aegypti can express a different phenotype depending on the competing species. The similar pattern found forLi. durhamii females and the nonsignificant difference with the control for males explain in part why this species can compete withAe. aegypti.

Source: Insect Science - November 22, 2018 Category: Biology Authors: Stanislas Talaga, Alain Dejean, Cl émence Mouza, Yves Dumont, Céline Leroy Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research