Vertical distribution of Stomoxys spp. (Diptera: Muscidae) in a rainforest area of Gabon |
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Authors: | Jacques François Mavoungou Tongué Lisette Kohagne Geneviève Lydie Acapovi‐Yao Jérémie Gilles Koffivi Guillaume Ketoh Gérard Duvallet |
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Institution: | 1. Institut de Recherche en écologie Tropicale (IRET), , BP: 13354 Libreville, Gabon;2. Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku, , BP: 941 Franceville, Gabon;3. University of Yaoundé I, Faculté des Sciences, , BP: 812 Yaoundé, Cameroun;4. Laboratoire de Zoologie et Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Cocody Abidjan‐C?te d'Ivoire, , 01 BP: V34 Abidjan, C?te d'Ivoire;5. Insect Pest Control Laboratory, FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratories, , A‐2444 Seibersdorf, Austria;6. Laboratoire d'Entomologie Appliquée, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Lomé, , BP: 1515 Lomé, Togo;7. Centre d’écologie Fonctionnelle et évolutive (UMR5175), , Montpellier, France |
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Abstract: | The vertical distribution of Stomoxys spp. was studied in a rainforest area, Ipassa‐Makokou biosphere reserve located in the Ivindo National Park of Gabon. From April to June 2006, Vavoua traps were set out during 15 consecutive days per month at different heights above ground level corresponding to vertical layers of rainforest: 50 cm, 10, 20 and 30 m. Stomoxys calcitrans, S. transvittatus, S. omega, S. niger niger and S. niger bilineatus were more abundant at near ground level (50 cm), whereas abundance of S. xanthomelas was greatest in traps higher (20 and 30 m) in the canopy. Fly abundance was significantly different among vertical layers of the forest (H = 36.91; P < 0.001, ddl = 3), and among species to another (H = 41.11, P < 0.001). Vertical distribution of fly species corroborates feeding behaviour as the identification of blood meal origins showed heterogeneity of feeding hosts. High densities of flies were also observed at 10 m, and most S. inornatus were captured at that level. These results show that Stomoxyine flies in this rainforest are present in all vertical layers, from the ground level to the canopy. Their ubiquity, regarding both their habitats and their hosts, should be taken into account if a vector control strategy is planned in this touristic area. |
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Keywords: | Ecology Gabon rainforest
Stomoxys
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