Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1969. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Université d'Aix-Marseille, 1962. / "No. d'ordre: 110." Includes bibliographical references (p. 141-146).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1984. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 19-25).

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The basic morphology and ultrastructure of the anal papillae of a saline water mosquito larva (Aedes campestris) have been investigated under two physiological conditions: (a) normal hyperosmotic external medium and (b) dilute hyposmotic medium. The ultrastructure of these organs suggests that they are not rudimentary, but rather are made up of cells that are morphologically specialized for transport. The anal papillae appear active in both the normal and dilute media and possible functions under the two physiological conditions are discussed. No major qualitative or quantitative differences were observed with the large change in external medium. This suggests that physiologically-demonstrated adaptive changes may require only minor structural alterations. The morphology and ultrastructure of the hind gut of A. campestris larvae were compared under two physiological conditions; normal (requiring hyporegulation) and dilute (requiring hyperegulation) external medium. No differences which might be associated with hyporegulation were observed. The rectum of A. campestri s was compared to that of Aedes aegypti. The rectum in the former is composed of two regions, an anterior and posterior rectum, while in Aedes aegypti, an exclusively freshwater mosquito larva, the rectum has only a single region. The rectal epithelia in both insects studied have morphological specializations for water and ion transport, and a consideration of quantative differences suggests that the posterior rectum is unique to Aedes campestris and hence could be responsible for the ability of this species to produce hyperosmotic urine. When the posterior rectal epithelium is compared to similar transporting epithelia in previously-studied terrestrial insects, several ultra-structural differences were noted. It is suggested that the mechanism of hyperosmotic urine production in saline water insects may be different from that in terrestrial insects. Several possible mechanisms of hyperosmotic urine production are discussed. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

The effects of food availability and the presence of the parasite, Plagiorchis elegans, on the probability of Aedes aegypti preimagos to transform from one immature stage to the next over consecutive 24- or 48-hour periods of time were determined. Under conditions of low food availability, 24- and 48-hr transition probabilities of all larval instars, to the next were reduced. Increases in food availability reversed this process, causing significant decreases in same-stage transition probabilities. However, as transition to successive stages increased among first, second, third and fourth instars, there was concomitant significant increase in first and fourth preimago mortality. Addition of Plagiorchis elegans cercariae caused significant decreases in the 24 and 48-hour same-state probabilities for all pre-imago stages. Successive stage transitions for first, second and third instars were significantly increased while those of fourth instars and pupae were significantly decreased following exposure to the parasites. The mortality of all preimago stages significantly increased with exposure to parasite, but was highest among fourth instars and pupae. There were strong food-by-parasite interaction effects among first, second and third instars. Differences in transition probabilities increased with increasing food levels between controlled and parasite-exposed groups. The opposite was true for fourth instars and pupae. While there was no significant interactive effect between food and the presence of the parasite on pupae regardless of food concentration, this was not true for mortality probabilities among fourth instars. Significantly more fourth instars died in response to parasite exposure and there were significant interactive effects of food and parasites on the probability of fourth instars transformation to pupae over 48 hrs.

The effects of food availability on the population structure of Aedes aegypti in the presence and absence of Plagiorchis elegans cercariae were studied in the laboratory. Under conditions of low food availability and in the absence of the parasite, larval population levels cycled at 40 day intervals. Cycles were initiated by the periodic build-up and decline of fourth instar larvae. These major competitors for food resources appear to be responsible for the release of a cascade of events which allowed the intermittent flow through of larvae from the first to the third instar. Under both optimal and suboptimal conditions of food availability, the introduction of high densities of P. elegans cercariae resulted in a decrease in the production of adult mosquitoes. Although the parasite reduced competition by preferentially removing fourth instar larvae and hastened the development of surviving instars, such survivors were exposed to the effects of the parasite as soon as they reached the fourth instar.