title: Evaluating larval mosquito resource partitioning in western Kenya using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In sub-Saharan Africa, malaria, transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito, remains one of the foremost public health concerns. Anopheles gambiae, the primary malaria vector in sub-Saharan Africa, is typically associated with ephemeral, sunlit habitats; however, An. gambiae larvae often share these habitats with other anophelines along with other disease-transmitting and benign mosquito species. Resource limitations within habitats can constrain larval density and development, and this drives competitive interactions among and between species.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used naturally occurring stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen to identify resource partitioning among co-occurring larval species in microcosms and natural habitats in western Kenya. We used two and three source mixing models to estimate resource utilization (i.e. bacteria, algae, organic matter) by larvae.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laboratory experiments revealed larval δ13C and δ15N composition to reflect the food sources they were reared on. Resource partitioning was demonstrated between An. gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae sharing the same microcosms. Differences in larval δ13C and δ15N content was also evident in natural habitats, and Anopheles species were consistently more enriched in δ13C when compared to culicine larvae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These observations demonstrate inter-specific resource partitioning between Cx. quinquefasciatus and An. gambiae larvae in natural habitats in western Kenya. This information may be translated into opportunities for targeted larval control efforts by limiting specific larval food resources, or through bio-control utilizing competitors at the same trophic level.
authors: Thomas M
authors: TM
authors: Gilbreath
authors: Eliningaya J
authors: EJ
authors: Kweka
authors: Yaw A
authors: YA
authors: Afrane
authors: Andrew K
authors: AK
authors: Githeko
authors: Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA. guiyuny@uci.edu.
authors: Guiyun
authors: G
authors: Yan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000502:physiology*; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D003465:Culex / Q000502:physiology*; D017753:Ecosystem; D007630:Kenya; D007814:Larva / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen