Does the Anopheles blood meal-fecundity curve, curve?
Roitberg, B.D.; Gordon, I.
Journal of Vector Ecology Journal of the Society for Vector Ecology 30(1): 83-86
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1081-1710 PMID: 16007959 Document Number: 588074
We determined the blood meal size - fecundity relationship in Anopheles gambiae in the laboratory. Our primary interest was to determine whether the fecundity curve has a non-linear component, i.e., does it decelerate towards an asymptote? Small and large adult females in their second gonotrophic cycle were fed on human hosts for predetermined lengths of time. Blood meal size was ascertained by weight and subsequent fecundity was detertmined by the number of eggs laid on filter paper. In both small and large-bodied females there was a significant curvilinear component. We used this relationship to show that marginal returns from feeding decline as a function of current blood load. This means that further fecundity payoff for continued feeding declines over time.