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Colonization of ephemeral water bodies in the wheatbelt of Western Australia by assemblages of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae): role of environmental factors, habitat, and disturbance
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 13:50 authored by Scott CarverScott Carver, Spafford, H, Storey, A, Weinstein, PEnvironmental disturbance may have direct and indirect impacts on organisms. We studied the colonization of ephemeral water bodies by mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Wheatbelt region of southwest Western Australia, an area substantially affected by an expanding anthropogenic salinization. Mosquitoes frequently colonized ephemeral water bodies, responded positively to rainfall, and populated smaller water bodies more densely than larger water bodies. We found that the habitat characteristics of ephemeral water bodies changed in association with salinity. Consequently relationships between salinity and abundance of colonizing mosquitoes were direct (salinityÐmosquito) and indirect (salinityÐwater body characteristicsÐmosquito). Overall, the structure of mosquito assemblages changed with increasing salinity, favoring an increased regional distribution and abundance of Aedes camptorhynchus Thomson (Diptera: Culicidae), a vector of Ross river virus (RRV; Togoviridae: Alphavirus). We conclude secondary salinization in the Western Australia Wheatbelt results in enhanced vectorial potential for RRV transmission.
History
Publication title
Environmental EntomologyVolume
38Issue
6Pagination
1585-1594ISSN
0046-225XDepartment/School
School of Natural SciencesPublisher
Entomological Society of AmericaPlace of publication
9301 Annapolis Rd, Lanham, USA, Md, 20706Rights statement
Copyright 2009 Entomological Society of AmericaRepository Status
- Restricted