Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Subject "Aedes aegypti"

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    The Interspecific Competition between Larval of Aedesand Major African Malaria Vectors under Semi- Field settings in Tanzania
    (NM-AIST, 2025-08) Coelestine, Sperancia
    Interspecific competition between mosquito larvae may affect adult traits, potentially reducing or increasing disease transmission. It also influences population dynamics, cannibalistic, and predatory behaviors. However, knowledge of interspecific competition between Ae. aegypti and Anopheles species is limited. This study examined interspecific competition of Ae. aegypti larvae cohabiting with either An. arabiensis, An. gambiae, or An. funestus on individual fitness and population level in semi- field settings. Experiments involved density combinations of 100:100, 200:0, and 0:200 (Ae. aegypti:Anopheles), reared with and without food, in small habitats (8.5 cm × 15 cm) with 0.5 liters of water and large habitats (15 cm × 35 cm) with 1 liter of water. The first group received Tetramin® fish food (0.02 g), while the second was unfed to assess cannibalism and predation. At population level, self- sustaining colonies of Ae. aegypti and An. arabiensis were established in three separate chambers. While interspecific competition affected both genera, Anopheles species experienced greater effects, with reduced survival and delayed development compared to Ae. aegypti. Mean wing lengths of all species were significantly smaller in small habitats in a mixed population (p < 0.001). The presence of food reduced cannibalism and predation. At population level, Ae. aegypti exhibited higher numbers than An. arabiensis in mixed populations, with risk ratios (RR = 0.74, 95% CI: (0.68, 0.80), p < 0.001) and (RR = 0.29, 95% CI: (0.26, 0.30), p < 0.001) respectively, significantly lower than single populations. These interactions have implications for disease transmission dynamics and inform ecologically-based vector control strategies.