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Does bird metabolic rate influence mosquito feeding preference?
Jiayue Yan1, Juli Broggi2, Josué Martínez-de la Puente2,3
1Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio, 26, E-41092, Seville, Spain. jiayueyan@ebd.csic.es.
Parasites & Vectors
|February 24, 2018
Summary
Mosquitoes like Culex pipiens preferred birds with lower metabolic rates and higher body mass, not necessarily those emitting more attractant cues. This finding impacts understanding of disease transmission dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Zoology
- Vector-borne disease ecology
- Animal behavior
Background:
- Mosquito host selection is crucial for vector-borne disease transmission.
- Intraspecific variation in host attractiveness to mosquitoes is poorly understood.
- Metabolic rate influences host cues, potentially affecting host-vector contact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of bird metabolic rate in the feeding preferences of Culex pipiens.
- To understand intraspecific differences in host attractiveness to mosquitoes.
Main Methods:
- Exposed pairs of Passer domesticus (one treated with 2,4-dinitrophenol, one control) to mosquitoes overnight.
- Analyzed mosquito feeding preference in relation to bird metabolic rate and body mass.
Main Results:
- Mosquito feeding preference was negatively associated with resting metabolic rate.
- Mosquito feeding preference was positively associated with bird body mass.
- Resting metabolic rate and body mass explained 62.76% of the variation in mosquito feeding preference.
Conclusions:
- Higher metabolic rates may lead to enhanced anti-mosquito behavior, despite potentially stronger attractant cues.
- Individual differences in metabolic rates and associated behaviors may influence exposure to vector-borne pathogens.
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