Effect of salinity on the behavior of Aedes aegypti populations from the coast and plateau of southeastern Brazil
Autor(es): de Brito-Arduino, Marylene; Mucci, Luis Filipe; Nunes Serpa, Ligia Leandro; Rodrigues, Marianni de Moura
Resumo: Mosquito larvae can develop in fresh, salty and brackish water. The larvae of Aedes aegypti develop in fresh water. However, in laboratory studies, tolerance of this species for oviposition and hatching in brackish water was observed. Immature forms of Ae. aegypti have also been found developing in brackish water in coastal areas. The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of salt on the biological cycle of Ae. aegypti populations from coastal and plateau areas of southeastern Brazil. Aedes aegypti were collected from plateau (Taubate) and coastal (Sao Sebastiao) municipalities to establish colonies. Specimens of the F-1 generation were exposed to five salt concentrations (3.5, 7, 10.5, 14 and 17.5 parts per thousand) to assess the oviposition and cycle development from egg hatching to adult eclosion. Deionized water was used in the control groups. Both Taubate and Sao Sebastian populations oviposited in all salt concentrations tested; however, development occurred in all except in the 17.5% concentration. Significant differences in development and adult size were observed at intermediate concentrations (Sao Sebastiao from 10.5 parts per thousand and Taubate from 7 parts per thousand, for both variables) between the two populations.Interpretation & conclusion: The results of this study showed different response patterns to salinity between the two populations, suggesting better adaptive adjustment of the coastal population to the metabolic constraints exerted by salt. The implications of this adaptation are discussed, and additional studies are suggested to evaluate the mechanisms that determinate the adaptive processes of Ae. aegypti in brackish water and the implications to its vectorial capacity
Palavras-Chave: Adaptation; Aedes aegypti; Arbovirus; Biological cycle; Breeding sites; Salinity
Imprenta: Journal of Vector Borne Diseases, v. 52, n. 1, p. 79-87, 2015
Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Arbovirus
Data de publicação: 2015
