Open AccessLaboratory evaluation of predation on mosquito larvae by Australian mangrove fish
Author(s) -
Griffin Lachlan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of vector ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.688
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1948-7134
pISSN - 1081-1710
DOI - 10.1111/j.1948-7134.2014.12087.x
Subject(s) - gambusia , biology , predation , mangrove , larva , instar , ecology , biological pest control , mosquito control , zoology , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , malaria , immunology
A series of laboratory experiments compared predation rates of three native eastern Australian mangrove fish species ( Psuedomugil signifer , Hyseleotris galii , Pseudogobius sp.) and the exotic Gambusia holbrooki on 2 nd and 4 th instar Aedes vigilax larvae, in order to determine their potential as mosquito control agents in mangrove forests. All four species preyed on significant numbers of both 2 nd and 4 th instar larvae. All showed a similar pattern of larval consumption, gorging on larvae in the first hour of each experiment, before reducing to a relatively constant background feeding rate. Gambusia holbrooki showed the highest larval consumption rates, but is unsuitable as a mosquito control agent due to it being an exotic pest species in Australia. Of the three native species, P. signifer showed the greatest potential as a mosquito control agent, having consumption rates comparable to G. holbrooki , and was the only species that did not show a significant reduction in larval consumption in the night experiments.