Sperancia Coelestine Lushasi

Ms. Sperancia Coelestine Lushasi


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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31 December 2024 in Insects
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Sperancia Coelestine LushasiSperancia Coelestine Lushasi
Sperancia Coelestine Lushasi
YMYohana A. Mwalugelo
Yohana A. Mwalugelo
Johnson Kyeba SwaiJohnson Kyeba Swai
Johnson Kyeba Swai
AMArnold S. Mmbando
Arnold S. Mmbando
LMLetus L. Muyaga
Letus L. Muyaga
DLDickson Wilson Lwetoijera
Dickson Wilson Lwetoijera
Interspecific competition between mosquito larvae may affects adult vectorial capacity, potentially reducing disease transmission. It also influences population dynamics, and cannibalistic and predatory behaviors. However, knowledge of interspecific competition between Ae. aegypti and Anopheles species is limited. The study examined interspecific competition between Ae. aegypti larvae and either An.arabiensis, An. gambiae, or An. funestus on individual fitness in semi-field settings. The experiments involved density combinations of 100:100, 200:0, and 0:200 (Ae. aegypti: Anopheles), reared with and without food, in small habitats (8.5 cm height × 15 cm diameter) with 0.5 liters of water and large habitats (15 cm height × 35 cm diameter) with 1 liter of water. The first group received Tetramin® fish food (0.02 g), while the second group was unfed to assess cannibalism and predation. While interspecific competition affected both genera, Anopheles species experienced greater effects, with reduced survival and delayed development, compared to Ae. aegypti. The mean wing lengths of all species were significantly small in small habitats with a mixed population (p < 0.001). The presence of food reduced cannibalism and predation compared to its absence. These interactions have implications for diseases transmission dynamics and can serve as biological indicators to signal the impacts of vector control interventions.

16 October 2024 in Preprints.org
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
Sperancia Coelestine LushasiSperancia Coelestine Lushasi
Sperancia Coelestine Lushasi
YMYohana Anosisye Mwalugelo
Yohana Anosisye Mwalugelo
Johnson Kyeba SwaiJohnson Kyeba Swai
Johnson Kyeba Swai
AMAnold Sadikiel Mmbando
Anold Sadikiel Mmbando
LMLetus Laurian Muyaga
Letus Laurian Muyaga
DLDickson Wilson Lwetoijera
Dickson Wilson Lwetoijera
Interspecific competition between mosquito larvae may affects adult vectorial capacity, potentially reducing disease transmission. It also influences population dynamics, cannibalistic and predatory behaviors. However, knowledge of interspecific competition between Ae. aegypti and Anopheles species is limited. The study examined interspecific competition between Ae. aegypti larvae and either An. arabiensis, An. gambiae, or An. funestus on individual fitness in semi-field settings. The experiments involved density combinations of 100:100, 200:0, and 0:200 (Ae. aegypti: Anopheles), reared with and without food, in small habitat (8.5 cm height × 15 cm diameter) with 0.5 litre and medium habitats (15 cm height × 35 cm diameter) with 1 litre of water. The first group received Tetramin® fish food (0.02 g), while the second group was unfed to assess cannibalism and predation. While, interspecific competition affected both genera, Anopheles species experienced greater effect, with reduced survival and delayed development, compared to Ae. aegypti. The mean wing lengths of all species were significantly small in small habitats in mixed population (p < 0.001). The presence of food reduced cannibalism and predation compared to its absence. These interactions have implications for diseases transmission dynamics and can serve as biological indicators to signal the impacts of vector control interventions.