Biological stoichiometry is the study of how disparities in optimal elemental composition (molar ratios of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus; C:N:P) between consumers and their foods can affect individual consumer growth, consumer population stability, and community structure. Previous studies suggest that mosquitoes are choosy about their larval habitats. For example, Culex quinquefasciatus is usually found in relatively nutrient-rich water, whereas Culex tarsalis is usually found in relatively nutrient-poor water. These differences in habitat nutrient concentrations effect the quality (C:N:P) and quantity (gDW/L) of larval foods. Previous studies also suggest that aquatic bacteria are an important component of larval diets in all types of habitats. In this study we were interested in how variation in the density and cellular C:N:P of a common aquatic bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, would affect the growth and whole body C:N:P of larval Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. tarsalis. We used three densities of P. aeruginosa with three different cellular C:N:P levels as food for larval mosquitoes. We measured differences in larval growth rate and whole body C:N:P, and relate it to natural conditions for these two mosquitoes.
Species 1: Diptera Culicidae Culex quinquefasciatus
Species 2: Diptera Culicidae Culex tarsalis
Keywords: stoichiometry
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