Ecological Stoichiometry: What Role Does it Play in the Competition and Spatial Distribution Patterns of <i>Aedes Albopictus</i> and <i>Aedes Aegypti</i>?

<p>Ecological stoichiometry is the balance of chemical substances within animal bodies through interactions and processes within their ecosystem. Though relatively underexplored, it provides a wealth of information linking interactions across different levels of organization. Detritus is the base of the food web within the small aquatic ecosystems occupied by the mosquitoes <em>Aedes albopictus</em> and <em>Aedes aegypti</em>. Nutrient content of detritus varies, but it can have a negative effect on mosquito growth and survival if nutrient thresholds are not met. I investigated nutrient environments and species abundance in cemetery vases in New Orleans, LA to assess detrital heterogeneity and its effect on coexistence patterns between <em>Aedes albopictus</em> and <em>Aedes aegypti</em>. Vases were found to contain a wide array of detrital environments, but I did not find support to suggest that it affects mosquito coexistence patterns. Under a laboratory experiment I also investigated whether <em>Aedes albopictus</em> would show greater survivorship in lower nutrient environments compared to <em>Aedes aegypti</em>, and whether coexistence would occur in higher nutrient environments. This hypothesis was supported which showed <em>Aedes aegypti</em> stoichiometry and survival to be negatively affected within the lowest nutrient environments in the presence of <em>Aedes albopictus</em>, but in the highest nutrient environments both species showed high survival rates. My findings contribute to our understanding of the process that affects potential coexistence and exclusion for <em>Ae. albopictus</em> and <em>Ae. aegypti</em>.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2018

Author dc:creator

• Deerman, James

Contributors dc:contributor

• Donald A. Yee
• Kevin A. Kuehn
• Carl P. Qualls

• Detritus
• Mosquito
• Cemetery
• Entomology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/589

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:aquila.usm.edu:masters_theses-1431