Amphibiamphibians favoring mosquitoes

2003/06/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ekologia

Some scientists believe that the decrease in the number of amphibians has led to the proliferation of mosquitoes, thus risking diseases transmitted through mosquitoes to become stronger, such as malaria and dengue.

To reach this conclusion, researchers at the University of Sydney have focused on competition between tadpoles and mosquitoes. Laboratory studies have shown that in areas with tadpoles, less than 40% of mosquito larvae reach maturity, even with a lot of food. However, if there are no tadpoles, more than 80% of the larvae arrive.

Normally, in water wells live tadpoles and mosquito larvae, so it is thought that in nature it is also beneficial that there are fewer shoes for mosquitoes. Also, as mature frogs eat mosquitoes, with the disappearance of frogs multiply even more.