Mosquito control actions affect chironomid diversity in temporary wetlands of the Upper Rhine Valley.

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ID: 16155
2019
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Abstract
The Upper Rhine Valley, a Hotspot of Biodiversity in Germany, has been treated with the biocide Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) for mosquito control for decades. Previous studies discovered Bti non-target effects in terms of severe chironomid abundance reductions. In this study, we investigated the impact of Bti on species level and addressed the community composition of the non-target family Chironomidae by use of community metabarcoding. Chironomid emergence data were collected in three mosquito-control relevant wetland types in the Upper Rhine Valley. For all three sites the chironomid species composition, based on operational taxonomic units (OTUs), was different to varying degrees in the Bti-treated samples vs. control samples, ranging from a significant 63% OTU reduction to an OTU replacement. We assumed that predatory chironomids are less prone to Bti than filter feeders, as the latter feed on floating particles leading to direct ingestion of Bti. However, a comparable percentage of predators and filter feeders (63% and 65%, respectively) was reduced in the Bti samples, suggesting that the feeding strategy is not the main driver for Bti sensitivity in chironomids. Finally, our data was compared to a three year old data set, indicating possible chironomid community recovery due to species recolonization a few years after the last Bti application. Considering the currently discussed worldwide insect decline we recommend a rethinking of the usage of the biocide Bti, and to prevent its ongoing application especially in nature protection reserves to enhance ecological resilience and to prevent boosting the current biodiversity loss. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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theissinger2019mosquitomolecular Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
Authors Theissinger, Kathrin;Röder, Nina;Allgeier, Stefanie;Beermann, Arne J;Brühl, Carsten A;Friedrich, Anna;Michiels, Susanne;Schwenk, Klaus;
Journal molecular ecology
Year 2019
DOI
10.1111/mec.15214
URL
Keywords Keywords not found

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