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Physical Factors in Mosquito Ecology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Ronald Senior-White
Affiliation:
Malariologist, the Kepitigalla Rubber Estates, Ltd.

Extract

Over a quarter of a century has now elapsed since the genius of Ross convicted mosquitos of responsibility for the spread of malaria, but the factors involved in the distribution of the insects in Nature are hardly better understood to-day—when, in addition to filariasis and malaria, they have been inculpated in respect of the transmission of at least two other major diseases—than they were at the time of the original discovery of August 1897.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1925

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References

page 192 note * This process is most conveniently carried out on the already indicated sample. The tube should be laid on its side to remove as much CO2 as possible at the end of the shaking, which should be repeated at least three times, or until no further change occurs. Brom-thymol-blue froths in this process, and loses depth of tint. Extra indicator must be added to counteract this before the final shaking. Usually another drop per cc. is required. The other indicators neither froth nor loose depth of tint. Water at pH 8·4 or over will absorb CO2 from the air when shaken. Such water is usually alkaline on account of the photosynthesis of algae removing the CO2.

page 198 note * Though, as pointed out by Wesenburg-Lund (op. cit., p. 101), it is very hard to understand how cutaneous or anal-papillar respiration can be of much use to a larva under poor oxygen conditions. Referring to very foul, faecal-contaminated water he states (p. 129) that under such conditions atmospheric respiration is a sine qua non.

page 201 note * Whilst this paper was in course of preparation, A. leucosphyrus has been found in springs at the head of a ravine with only very light shade, in company with A. maculatus. There was no forest of any kind within some miles.

page 203 note * It has been pointed out by Atkins & Harris (1924) that in the case of a hard water a pH of over 8·1 denotes approximate oxygen saturation.

page 208 note * It is not clear from his wording whether A. fuliginosus was not also present. If it was, it does not alter the argument.

page 211 note * Finlaya trilineata, as recorded in the original paper, is a misidentification. The species concerned is the subsequently described F. macdougalli, Edw., as noted by Barraud (1924).

page 212 note * Unpublished work, found among his notes when I held charge of his Section at the Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, after his demise.

page 232 note * At one site, in two observations at intervals of a month, the growth was very massive at pH 6.8, and had completely disappeared at pH 7·2 the month following.

page 234 note * Larvae, probably those of C. fatigans, apparently healthy, have been seen to have a regular heart-beat of 62 per minute. Armigeres obturbans, a very active larva, in the same water, was breathing 36 per minute, the beats being irregular.

page 235 note * The Phanerogamic vegetation in such spots usually consists of Kyllinga monocephala, Vandellia pedunculata, Cyperus pilosus, Fimbristylis dichotoma, and Isachne kunthiana.