Thermal sensitivity of Aedes aegypti from Australia: empirical data and prediction of effects on distribution

Richardson, Kelly, Hoffman, Ari, Johnson, Petrina, Ritchie, Scott, and Kearney, Michael (2011) Thermal sensitivity of Aedes aegypti from Australia: empirical data and prediction of effects on distribution. Journal of Medical Entomology, 48 (4). pp. 914-923.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/ME10204
 
35
2


Abstract

An understanding of physiological sensitivity to temperature and its variability is important for predicting habitat suitability for disease vectors under different climatic regimes. In this study, we characterized the thermal sensitivity of larval developmental rates and survival in several Australian mainland populations of the dengue virus vector Aedes aegypti. Males developed more rapidly than females, but there were no differences among populations for development time or survival despite previously demonstrated genetic differentiation for neutral markers. Optimal development and survival temperatures were 37°C and 25°C, respectively. The values for maximal development and survival were similar to standard functions used in the container inhabiting simulation (CIMSIM) model for predicting population dynamics of Ae. aegypti populations, but CIMSIM assumed a lower optimal temperature. Heat stress experiments indicated that larvae could withstand water temperatures up to 44°C regardless of the rate at which temperature was increased. Results from development time measured under constant temperatures could predict development time under fluctuating conditions, whereas CIMSIM predicted faster rates of development. This difference acts to reduce the predicted potential number of generations of Ae. aegypti per year in Australia, although it does not influence its predicted distribution, which depends critically on the nature of the aquatic breeding sites.

Item ID: 19291
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 0022-2585
Keywords: Aedes aegypti; thermal responses; niche mapping; mechanistic model
Date Deposited: 12 Dec 2011 06:02
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0603 Evolutionary Biology > 060306 Evolutionary Impacts of Climate Change @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9603 Climate and Climate Change > 960399 Climate and Climate Change not elsewhere classified @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 2
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page