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The Productivity of various Mosquito Breeding Places in the Swamps of Uganda

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

L. K. H. Goma
L. K. H. Goma
Affiliation:
Nuffield Swamp Research Scheme, Department of Zoology, Makerere University College, Kampala, Uganda, East Africa.
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Extract

Six types of habitat in papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) swamps in Uganda were studied with regard to the production of mosquito larvae. A classification, of the types is given, which was largely based on the lapse of time since temporary clearing by cutting or burning had been carried out.

Altogether a total of 5,781 larvae belonging to 17 species was studied. Culex (Culex) guiarti Blanch., C. (C.) univittatus Theo. and C. (Neoculex) rubinotus Theo. were the dominant species, comprising together 78 per cent. of the total number of larvae. Anopheles gambiae Giles was not recorded. Samples of larvae were taken at intervals between mid-January and early April 1957. The sampling method used was unsuitable for those species of which the larvae obtain air from roots or stems of submerged vegetation, and these were excluded from the present study.

There was considerable variation in species and numbers of larvae and in their frequency in the different types of habitat.

It is concluded that (a) peripheral zones, especially in natural untouched swamps, are much more productive than the interior, (b) where swamps have been altered by cutting and by burning of papyrus and other vegetation, burnt habitats, whether recently or after the lapse of up to four or five months, have a very low productivity, (c) of the six chemical factors investigated (pH, K, Na, absorbed oxygen, free and saline ammonia and albuminoid ammonia) only the quantity of soluble organic matter, indicated by absorbed oxygen, and albuminoid ammonia, showed any relation to productivity, the least productive habitats containing the smallest quantity of organic matter.

Other possible factors in swamp water, which were not investigated, are mentioned. These are (a) the nature of soluble oxidisable organic matter, (b) conductivity, (c) ferruginous surface films and (d) iron in solution.

Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 49 , Issue 3 , September 1958 , pp. 437 - 448
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1958

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