scholarly journals Oviposition-Site Selection of Phlebotomus papatasi (Diptera: Psychodidae) Sand Flies: Attraction to Bacterial Isolates From an Attractive Rearing Medium

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhavi L Kakumanu ◽  
Bahjat F Marayati ◽  
Coby Schal ◽  
Charles S Apperson ◽  
Gideon Wasserberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Oviposition Site ◽  
Sand Fly ◽  
Sand Flies ◽  
Phlebotomus Papatasi ◽  
Bacterial Isolates ◽  
Oviposition Site Selection ◽  
Response Curves

Abstract Phlebotomine sand flies are worldwide vectors of Leishmania parasites as well as other bacterial and viral pathogens. Due to the variable impact of traditional vector control practices, a more ecologically based approach is needed. The goal of this study was to isolate bacteria from the most attractive substrate to gravid Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli sand flies and determine the role of bacterial volatiles in the oviposition attractancy of P. papatasi using behavioral assays. We hypothesized that gravid sand flies are attracted to bacterially derived semiochemical cues associated with breeding sites. Bacteria were isolated from a larvae-conditioned rearing medium, previously shown to be highly attractive to sand flies. The isolated bacteria were identified by amplifying and sequencing 16S rDNA gene fragments, and 12 distinct bacterial species were selected for two-choice olfactometer bioassays. The mix of 12 bacterial isolates elicited strong attraction at the lower concentration of 107 cells per ml and significant repellence at a high concentration of 109 cells per ml. Three individual isolates (SSI-2, SSI-9, and SSI-11) were particularly attractive at low doses. In general, we observed dose-related effects, with some bacterial isolates stimulating negative and some positive dose–response curves in sand fly attraction. Our study confirms the important role of saprophytic bacteria, gut bacteria, or both, in guiding the oviposition-site selection behavior of sand flies. Identifying the specific attractive semiochemical cues that they produce could lead to development of an attractive lure for surveillance and control of sand flies.

Nesting snakes (Tropidonophis mairii, Colubridae) selectively oviposit in sites that provide evidence of previous successful hatching

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (8) ◽  
pp. 1134-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory P Brown ◽  
Richard Shine
Keyword(s):  
Parental Care ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Oviposition Site ◽  
Oviposition Site Selection ◽  
Egg Predator ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Tropical Australia

In oviparous species without parental care, nesting females must select an oviposition site that provides incubation conditions favourable to the developing eggs. Abiotic cues (e.g., temperature, moisture) are well known to influence oviposition-site selection, but the potential role of biotic cues (e.g., the presence of eggshells from previous successfully hatched clutches or the scent of egg predators) has rarely been examined in this respect. To test whether nesting females use such cues, we collected gravid keelback snakes (Tropidonophis mairii (Gray, 1841), Colubridae) in tropical Australia and gave them a choice of potential nesting sites in captivity. Females selectively oviposited in sites containing empty eggshells rather than in control sites but did not avoid the scent of a sympatric egg predator (the slatey-grey snake, Stegonotus cucullatus (Duméril, Bibron and Duméril, 1854)); indeed, eggshells of this taxon were as effective as keelback eggs in attracting oviposition. Our study adds to growing evidence that nesting females assess and respond to a diverse array of biotic as well as abiotic cues that predict the probability of successful incubation for their eggs.

Oviposition site selection in three species of European Newts (Salamandridae) genus Triturus

1995 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claude Miaud
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Oviposition Site ◽  
Oviposition Site Selection ◽  
Egg Survival ◽  
Natural Breeding ◽  
Linear Shape

AbstractOviposition site selection in Triturus helveticus, T. alpestris and T. cristatus was studied both in natural and laboratory situations. In a natural breeding site, eggs of the three species were not laid equally on several plants: T. cristatus laid practically all their egges on only one plant (Nasturtium officinale) while T. helveticus eggs were collected on four plant species. In laboratory experiments, plastic and cotton fabric supports made it possible to test ovipositing female selectivity according to flexibility and shape of support and egg-laying distance below the surface. In all three species, a high proportion of eggs were laid on supports of linear shape (as opposed to arborescent shape) and egg frequency decreased as a function of depth (from 0 to 40 cm below the surface). Selection according to flexibility was also observed, the smallest species (T. helveticus) laying more eggs on the thinner supports. The role of support selectivity during oviposition in Triturus is discussed, in term of proximate (i.e. female protection against predators, breathing necessity) and ultimate (i.e. egg survival) factors, and related to new ecology.

Influence of the presence of invasive mosquitofish and submerged vegetation on oviposition site selection by gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor)

2021 ◽  
pp. 85-90
Author(s):  
Geoffrey R. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Oviposition Site ◽  
Hyla Versicolor ◽  
Oviposition Site Selection ◽  
Gray Treefrogs ◽  
Artificial Vegetation

Amphibians often select oviposition sites based on a variety of cues that indicate the level of risk in the oviposition habitat. Surprisingly, the role of aquatic vegetation or habitat structure/complexity in anuran oviposition site selection has not been extensively studied even though it might affect perceived risk. We examined the effects of free-ranging invasive western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and artificial vegetation/habitat structure on colonisation of experimental pools by gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor). Hyla versicolor avoided ovipositing in mesocosms with G. affinis. The presence of artificial vegetation/habitat structure had no effect on oviposition site selection by H. versicolor, whether alone or in interaction with G. affinis. Our experiment provides evidence for the avoidance of fish, and more specifically G. affinis, by ovipositing H. versicolor; but provides no evidence for a role of vegetation/habitat structure.

scholarly journals The role of grass volatiles on oviposition site selection by Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles coluzzii

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yelfwagash Asmare ◽  
Sharon R. Hill ◽  
Richard J. Hopkins ◽  
Habte Tekie ◽  
Rickard Ignell
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Anopheles Arabiensis ◽  
Oviposition Site ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Oviposition Site Selection
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