Effects of mosquito larvae removal with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) on natural protozoan communities |
| |
Authors: | Örjan Östman Jan O. Lundström Thomas Z. Persson Vinnersten |
| |
Affiliation: | 1. Department of Population Biology and Conservation Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre (EBC), Uppsala University, Norbyv?gen 18D, 752 36, Uppsala, Sweden 2. Swedish Biological Mosquito Control Project, c/o Nedre Dal?lvens Utvecklings AB, Gran?v?gen 10, 81021, Gysinge, Sweden
|
| |
Abstract: | The protein crystals produced by Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) are used against the larvae of pestiferous flood-water mosquitoes in ephemeral wetlands. Although mosquito larvae are considered important predators on protozoans and bacteria, it is not known how a distinct reduction of mosquito larvae density in natural wetlands caused by application of Bti may indirectly affect these microbial communities. Here we show, in a large scale experiment in six natural wetlands, that the densities of heterotrophic protozoans was on an average 4.5 times higher in wetland areas treated with Bti than in control areas. In addition, the taxonomic richness of heterotrophic protozoans increased on an average of 60% in areas with Bti application compared to control areas. The increase in protozoan density and richness was fairly consistent among sites of different wetland habitats. We discuss the potential implications of our results for other parts of the ecosystem. Handling editor: K. Martens |
| |
Keywords: | Aedes Ochlerotatus sticticus Protozoa Mosquito control Top-down control |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|