Species interactions among larval mosquitoes: context dependence across habitat gradients.

ABSTRACT: Biotic interactions involving mosquito larvae are context dependent, with effects of interactions on populations altered by ecological conditions. Relative impacts of competition and predation change across a gradient of habitat size and permanence. Asymmetrical competition is common and ecological context changes competitive advantage, potentially facilitating landscape-level coexistence of competitors. Predator effects on mosquito populations sometimes depend on habitat structure and on emergent effects of multiple predators, particularly interference among predators. Nonlethal effects of predators on mosquito oviposition, foraging, and life history are common, and their consequences for populations and for mosquito-borne disease are poorly understood. Context-dependent beneficial effect

SUBMITTER: Juliano SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2664081 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature