Predicted Effect of Climate Change on Mosquito Species Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus
Date
2016-07-06
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Abstract
Mosquito species Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus are public health concerns due to their disease transmission capabilities. While much is known about their population dynamics, comparatively little is known about the impacts of current and impending climate change. The predicted climate patterns due to anthropogenic production of CO2 have the potential for serious increases in dangers to human health. Many studies have established mosquitoes develop faster in warmer temperatures, and others predict the increase in mosquito populations. This study aims to understand how mosquito development and population growth respond to increases in both mean temperature and variability in future climate. To test these responses, I simulated the predicted increase via climate treatments in environmental chambers. Physiological responses of the mosquitoes in the chambers were monitored from first instar stage to adult emergence, at constant low-densities of single or mixed species cohorts. Competitive relationships between species were also monitored. Species success and fitness were evaluated through pupation rate, rate of adult emergence, and adult female size. Larval development was faster at warmer temperatures with little variability (29±10°C), however lower temperature with little variability produced the largest mosquitoes (24±4°C). Both species had negative physiological responses in treatments with high temperature variation.
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entomology, mosquitoes, ecology, disease, climate change, global warming, mosquito physiology