Is Mosquitoes Biogenic Or Abiotic?
WouterWhether mosquitoes are biotic or abiotic depends on their biology. The emergence and distribution of mosquitoes are influenced by the environmental conditions. Physico-chemical factors such as temperature and turbidity influence the larval mosquitoes’ development. This knowledge is useful for the proper application of biological control.
In addition to the biotic factors, the physico-chemical variables can predict spatial patterns of mosquito populations. In particular, dissolved oxygen and turbidity have been shown to have a major influence on mosquito larvae. However, little attention has been given to the effects of these physico-chemical differences on prey.
The abundance and distribution of predators can be a major factor in limiting mosquitoes’ distribution. This is especially true in ephemeral aquatic habitats where mosquitoes can easily be captured.
The main biotic covariates considered were surface vegetation cover, water depth, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. The presence of mosquito larvae was a primary driver of the prevailing physico-chemical parameters. The highest numbers of predators were found in dry streams. This may be due to the greater natural predation in these temporary habitats.
In addition, predators consider the stability of the aquatic system. Therefore, abiotic factors such as turbidity and alkalinity are less likely to impact the larval mosquitoes’ development.
A positive correlation was also observed between predators and the surface vegetation cover. This is in contrast to previous studies which report Culex species in a wide range of dissolved oxygen levels.
Furthermore, canonical correlation analysis revealed that predators were strongly associated with the presence of mosquito larvae. This implies that predators can determine the structure of the larval mosquito assemblage.
