title: Effects of salinity on the larvae of some Afrotropical anopheline mosquitoes.
abstract: Laboratory experiments showed that the larvae of some freshwater-breeding Afrotropical anopheline species exhibit various degrees of tolerance to 25% sea-water. At 24 degrees C, survival rates from egg to fourth instar larva were significantly less in salt-water than in freshwater for four species: 39.5% versus 55.4% for Anopheles tenebrosus Dönitz, 31.9% versus 86.2% for An. mousinhoi De Meillon & Pereira, 3.5% versus 67.9% for An. pharoensis Theobald and 3.9% versus 41.9% for An. quadriannulatus (Theobald). Conversely, An. merus Dönitz showed a significantly better survival rate of 46.4% in 25% sea-water compared with 15.5% in freshwater. Simulated winter conditions did not significantly change these differential survival rates of An. merus. Effects of salinity on the anal papillae of third instar larvae are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical Pathology, School of Pathology, South African Institute for Medical Research, Johannesburg.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coetzee
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Le Sueur
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005618:Fresh Water; D007814:Larva; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012623:Seawater; D012965:Sodium Chloride
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride