Thermal limits of wild and laboratory strains of two African malaria vector species, Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Malaria affects large parts of the developing world and is responsible for almost 800,000 deaths annually. As climates change, concerns have arisen as to how this vector-borne disease will be impacted by changing rainfall patterns and warming temperatures. Despite the importance and controversy surrounding the impact of climate change on the potential spread of this disease, little information exists on the tolerances of several of the vector species themselves.

Methods

Using a ramping protocol (to assess critical thermal limits--CT) and plunge protocol (to assess lethal temperature limits--LT) information on the thermal tolerance of two of Africa's important malaria vectors, Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus was collected. The effects of age, thermal ac

SUBMITTER: Lyons CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3507762 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature