Abstract
The protein crystals produced by Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) are used against the larvae of pestiferous flood-water mosquitoes in ephemeral wetlands. Although mosquito larvae are considered important predators on protozoans and bacteria, it is not known how a distinct reduction of mosquito larvae density in natural wetlands caused by application of Bti may indirectly affect these microbial communities. Here we show, in a large scale experiment in six natural wetlands, that the densities of heterotrophic protozoans was on an average 4.5 times higher in wetland areas treated with Bti than in control areas. In addition, the taxonomic richness of heterotrophic protozoans increased on an average of 60% in areas with Bti application compared to control areas. The increase in protozoan density and richness was fairly consistent among sites of different wetland habitats. We discuss the potential implications of our results for other parts of the ecosystem.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Addicott, J. F., 1974. Predation and prey community structure: an experimental study of the effect of mosquito larvae on the protozoan communities of pitcher plants. Ecology 55: 475–492.
Becker, N., D. Petric, C. Boase, J. Lane, M. Zgomba, C. Dahl & A. Kaiser, 2003. Mosquitoes and Their Control. Kluwer Academic Press/Plenum Publisher, New York, 498 pp.
Boisvert, M. & J. Boisvert, 2000. Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis on target and non-target organisms: a review of laboratory and field experiments. Biocontrol Science and Technology 10: 517–561.
Cochran-Stafira, D. L. & C. N. von Ende, 1998. Integrating bacteria into food webs: studies with Sarracenia purpurea inquilines. Ecology 79: 880–898.
Kneitel, J. M. & J. M. Chase, 2004. Disturbance, predator, and resource interactions alter container community composition. Ecology 85: 2088–2093.
Kneitel, J. M. & T. E. Miller, 2002. Resource and top-predator regulation in the pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea) inquiline community. Ecology 83: 680–688.
Kneitel, J. M. & T. E. Miller, 2003. Dispersal rates affect species composition in metacommunities of Sarracenia purpurea inquilines. The American Naturalist 162: 165–171.
Merritt, R. W., R. H. Dadd & E. D. Walker, 1992. Feeding behavior, natural food, and nutritional relationships of larval mosquitoes. Annual Review of Entomology 37: 349–376.
Östman, Ö., J. M. Kneitel & J. M. Chase, 2006. The effects of habitat isolation on biodiversity depend on disturbance rates in a container dwelling protist and rotifer community. Oikos 114: 360–366.
Schäfer, M. L., J. O. Lundström & E. Petersson, 2008. Comparison of mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) populations by wetland type and year in the lower River Dalälven region, central Sweden. Journal of Vector Ecology, In press.
Acknowledgment
We are thankful for comments from Anna Gårdmark, Martina Schäfer, and two anonymous referees. This work was financed by the Swedish Research Counsil (ÖÖ), and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (JOL).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Handling editor: K. Martens
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Östman, Ö., Lundström, J.O. & Persson Vinnersten, T.Z. Effects of mosquito larvae removal with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) on natural protozoan communities. Hydrobiologia 607, 231–235 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9387-z
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9387-z