Biology

Interspecific interactions and the r-K continuum: laboratory comparisons of geographic strains of Aedes triseriatus.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

A strain from Illinois, beyond the known range of the predatory mosquito larva Toxorhynchites rutilus, exhibits success in single-species laboratory cultures which is consistently superior to that of a strain collected in North Carolina within the predator's range, at a spectrum of food levels. This result, based on observations of wing length, survivorship, development time and a composite index of success, permits the conclusions that the Illinois strain has the higher capacity for growth in conditions of high and low resource availability. However, the functional response relationships between Toxorhynchites feeding behaviour and density of A. triseriatus larvae suggest that the North Carolina strain is more difficult for the predator to eat than the Illinois strain. A potential competitor, Orthopodomyia signifera, was least successful in the presence of the North Carolina strain of A. triseriatus according to the criteria of female wing length and a composite index. Growth rates and single species competitive ability thus may be reduced in response to the evolution of effective interactions with other species.-from Author

Publication Title

Oikos

Publication Date

1984

Volume

42

Issue

2

First Page

193

Last Page

202

ISSN

0030-1299

DOI

10.2307/3544793

Keywords

Aedes Triseriatus

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