RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
ROTIFERS AND MOSQUITOES
Anwar L. Bilgrami and Peter Bosak
35 North Rt. 47, Dias Creek,
Email: anwarbil@rci.rutgers.edu
ABSTRACT
Mosquito larvae coexist in water with other
microorganisms exhibiting interesting relationships that are not clearly
understood. Some interactions are detrimental while others are beneficial and
helpful to larval survival. Rotifers, commonly known as ‘Wheel animalcule’, are microscopic and transparent organisms
inhabiting mostly fresh-water ponds. The relationship rotifers have with
mosquito larvae generates an interesting question as to whether rotifers are
friends or foe. During our routine surveillance we collected mosquito larvae
with rotifers attached to them. These rotifers were attached all over the body
preferring anterior and posterior regions of larvae e.g., head hairs, abdomen,
siphon, saddle and gills. The number of rotifers attached to a single larva
varied from a few to hundreds. Rotifers appeared not to harm larvae and were
observed drawing in minute food particles that were floating around them. They
are so firmly attached that the thrashing movements of larvae do not detach them,
although they can detach at will and float away. They extend their body to reach up to the
food particles and then retract after sucking the food into their mouth. The relationship between mosquito larvae and
rotifers appears phoretic whereby rotifers utilize
mosquito larvae as carriers in their search for food.