title: Bdelloid rotifer, Philodina species in the breeding containers of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
abstract: The vector mosquitoes of dengue and chikungunya fever, Aedes aegypti and Aedes   albopictus have adapted to feed on humans and undergo larval and pupal development in   natural and artificial freshwater collections. Although several studies reported, still, much   information is required to understand the successful survival of Aedes mosquitoes in small   temporary containers. In an investigation conducted in the chikungunya affected areas of   Kerala state, India, the presence of Bdelloid rotifer, Philodina in 95% of breeding habitats of   Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus was recorded. The role of Philodina in the breeding containers   was investigated. It was found that while in control the number of Philodina was found   increasing in the water sample during the study period of seven days, the number found   decreased in the containers with larvae of Aedes. The gut content analysis also confirmed the   presence of the rotating wheel, corona of Philodina in some of the specimen suggests its role   as major larval food.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Medical Entomology, 4, Sarojini Street Chinna Chokkikulam, Madurai - 625 002, Tamil Nadu. mmuniaraj@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muniaraj
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arunachalam
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paramasivan
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mariappan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Philip Samuel
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rajamannar
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D004199:Disease Vectors; D005260:Female; D007194:India; D012403:Rotifera / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D014867:Water