Feeding patterns revealed host partitioning in a community of frog‐biting mosquitoes

• Published in: Ecological entomology 2020-10, Vol.45 (5), p.988-996
• Main Authors: Silva, W.A. Priyanka P., Bernal, X. E., Chathuranga, W.G. D., Herath, B. P., Ekanayake, C., Abeysundara, H. T. K., Karunaratne, S. H. P. P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amphibians; Anuran communities; Bar codes; Biting; Biting behavior; blood‐feeding insects; Community participation; Critical components; Culicidae; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; frog‐biting mosquitoes; Gene sequencing; Genera; host specificity; Mosquitoes; niche partitioning; Partitioning; Resource partitioning; Species; Uranotaenia
• ISSN: 0307-6946; 1365-2311
• DOI: 10.1111/een.12874

1. Resource partitioning is a critical component in competing species that coexist in a community. The biting behaviour of coexisting frog‐biting mosquito species associated with a tropical anuran community is investigated. 2. Monthly samplings were taken for 2 years at two study sites in central Sri Lanka to collect frog‐biting mosquitoes, anuran abundance, environmental data, and interactions between mosquitoes and anuran hosts. Mosquitoes were collected using mouth‐operated aspirators and sound traps broadcasting anuran calls. Mosquitoes were identified using taxonomic keys and DNA barcodes. 3. A total of 1079 frog‐biting mosquitoes from four species belonging to two genera were collected [Uranotaenia rutherfordi (5%), Ur. morphotype 1 (67%), Ur. morphotype 2 (21%), and Mansonia uniformis (7%)]. Species‐specific interactions between Uranotaenia mosquitoes and their anuran host were found. Uranotaenia morphotype 1, the most common species, was mainly attracted (99%) to Duttaphrynus melanostictus. Uranotaenia rutherfordi was mainly attracted (95%) to Pseudophilautus rus, while Ur. morphotype 2 was attracted (97%) to Polypedates cruciger. These Uranotaenia species are active at different hours at night that correspond to the peak calling activity of their anuran host. Each Uranotaenia species was active at heights that coincide with the calling sites of their host. In contrast, Ma. uniformis was non‐specific in host choice and was equally distributed in space and time with respect to host feeding. 4. Here, previously unknown feeding patterns of co‐occurring frog‐biting mosquito species and their interactions with anurans present in their community are reported, highlighting the existence of complex behavioural patterns of these mosquito communities. Four frog‐biting mosquito species are abundant (Uranotaenia rutherfordi, Ur. morphotype 1, Ur. morphotype 2, and Mansonia uniformis) and commonly attack frogs in Kandy District, Sri Lanka. These Sri Lankan mosquitoes show phonotaxis behaviour, demonstrating the use of anuran mating calls to locate their host. High species specificity of Uranotaenia mosquitoes results in high temporal and spatial niche partitioning among these species.