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The effect of temperature varieties on host survival has been explored through many different species. One specific species is the Anopheles mosquitoes. Mosquitoes have four main life stages: egg, larvae, pupae, and adult (Beck-Johnson etal 2013). The larval stage is the longest, which indicates that the larvae experience the majority of the effects of temperature variety (Beck-Johnson etal 2013). Anopheles mosquitoes are sensitive to temperature because they are ectotherms and are dependent on temperature to regulate developmental rates. In normal living conditions, Anopheles mosquitoes have higher survival rates in warmer temperatures, than cooler temperatures.
It is well known that mosquitoes love warmer climates. They are extremely active in warmer temperatures that allow them to bred and lay eggs continuously. However, when they are exposed to colder temperatures, they go dormant, and eventually die off due to their inability to withstand the harsh conditions.
MelittobiaDigitata wasps are small, gregariously developing species that parasitize species of solitary bugs (González etal., 2009). They are small eulophid wasps that live on the outside of their host.
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Upon attaching, the female wasps lay their eggs on the host’s exoskeleton (González & Matthews 2005). For long-term survival, this species of wasps rely on reproduction. Their reproduction relies on strict inter-family mating (González & Matthews 2005). These traits include virgin females producing sons, with whom they can mate (González & Matthews 2005). These traits encourage this genus to flourish within their environments.
The wasps in this genus are known to be temperature dependent. They originate from Canada and Mexico, where the temperatures are distinctly different between the areas.
While Canada is normally cold, Mexico has warmer temperatures. This distinction represents the ability of M. digitata to survive in climate variations. In colder temperatures, M. digitata reproduces rapidly in order to preserve the colony when the weather warms (Spengler, 2018). The wasp’s eggs spend the winter lying dormant inside their hosts before hatching inside the endoskeleton (Shipman, 2014). In warmer temperatures, this species is active and reproduce continuously. During the spring and summer, M. digitata is inclined to attach to host insects. This inclination increases the rate of reproduction, in turn, increases the survival rate of the population. Though warmer temperatures are shown to create higher survival rates, M. digitata who normally live in colder environments adapt to their ecosystems.
Through researching the survival rates of M. digitata in temperature varieties, there were contrasting findings between authors. While some believe that M. digitata have higher survival rates in warmer temperatures (Abe etal, 2003), others believe that the survival of M. digitata is higher in cooler temperatures (Terán, & Matthews 2004). In our study, we believed that M. digitata survival would be higher in warmer temperatures, compared to cooler temperatures. To analyze this, we quantitatively tested if the wasps placed in warmer temperatures would have higher survival rates than those placed in cooler temperatures.
Larvae cultures of Melittobiadigitata were started from individuals that were bred from the early parasitic staged inside Sarcophaga (blowfly) puparia. The cultures were established in rearing chambers and maintained at 25°C.
Digitata under temperature varieties
In order to analyze the survival rates of M.digitata in temperature varieties, we isolated approximately 16 wasps in 2 containers, with 1 Sarcophagapuparia. To analyze their survival rates in high temperatures, we placed them under a heat lamp (27.6°C). To analyze their survival rates in cooler temperatures, we placed them in an air-conditioned room (21.8°C). The air-conditioned container was placed in a box, to create a darkened environment for the wasps. The heat lamp container was immediately placed directly under a lamp. The temperature conducted, by the heat lamp and the room, was recorded periodically for each trial. In each trail, we allowed M. digitata to remain in their respective areas for 48 hours. After the trial, the wasps in each container were counted for survivors.
Statistical Analysis
To determine the relationship between temperature variations and survival, we performed an ANOVA statistical test using RStudio and a t-test using Excel. These tests provided information on the effect our independent variable (temperature) has on our dependent variable (M. digitata survival).
Theoretical Methods
Our theoretical design is structured around exploring the effect temperature has on wasp survival rates. We performed this test using the Wolf-Sheep Predation model on NetLogo. Using this program, we created 12 generations, with 2 trials. These generations and trials helped provide theoretical evidence towards discovering which temperature permitted higher survival rates. The parameters of these trials were: Trial 1 (High Temp)- 10% host (sheep) reproduction and 5% parasite (wolf) reproduction; Trial 2 (Low Temp)- 10% host (sheep) reproduction and 10% parasite (wolf) reproduction, in both trials we did not allow the host or parasite to gain from food.
Digitata under temperature varieties
[image: ]The founding populations for both conditions, hot and room-temperature, was approximately 16 M. digitata. To test the effect of temperature on survival rate, an ANOVA was performed using RStudio. Unexpectantly, there was no significant difference between survival rate and different temperature conditions in M. digitata (P>0.01, df =5, F =0.03; see Fig. 1). In our research, we found that for populations of M. digitata under warm temperatures, the survival percentiles ranged from 75% to 100% (mean =88.5%). While, in room-temperature, these percentiles ranged from 75-100% (mean =89.6%). Variation revealed that the survival rates were rated lower in warmer temperatures in comparison to room-temperature conditions.
Figure 1 The effects of different temperatures on Melittobiadigitata survival. Values are mean +/- standard error. N=16 for each treatment. The results from this experiment were gathered from an ANOVA test using RStudio, with a 95% confidence variable. Wasps in the heat experiment were placed under a heat lamp (27.6 °C) and counted for remaining wasps after 2 days. In the air (room temp.) environments (21.8 °C), they were placed in a dark box and counted for remaining wasps after 2 days. In the heat experiment, it was found that an average of 88.5% of M. digitata survived. While, in the air experiment, there was an average of 89.6% of M. digitata that survived. The p-value gathered from the variables was 0.88, which means that are variables are not significantly different. From these findings, we gather that when M.digitata live in room temperature environments, their survival rate is higher.
Theoretical Results
The founding populations for both conditions, high and low temperature, were approximately 100 (parasite) and 250 (host). To test these populations for the effect of temperature on survival rate, we used the Sheep-Wolf Predation model on NetLogo. In contrast to our empirical results, both the parasite (p≥0.01, df = 5, F =0.53; see Fig. 2) and the host (p≥0.01, df = 5, 0.42; see Fig. 3) showed a significant difference between temperature and survival rate. In this model, we found that in high temperatures, the survival for parasites ranged from 16 to 80 (mean =52), while for the hosts it ranged from 101 to 220 (mean =168). In low temperatures, the survival for parasites ranged from 0-30 (mean =16), while for the hosts it ranged from 55 to 180 (mean =92). Variations revealed that the survival rates, for host and parasite, were rated significantly lower in lower temperatures in comparison to high temperatures.
Figure 2 The effects of different temperatures on host survival. Values are mean +/- standard error. N=12 for each treatment. The results from this experiment were gathered from the Sheep-Wolf Predation model on NetLogo. Hosts in this experiment were placed at 10% reproduction in high and low temperatures. The results from this model showed that in high temperatures hosts had a mean survival rate of 168. While in low temperatures, they had a mean survival rate of 92. The p-value gathered from these variables was p≥0.01, which means that temperature and host survival are significantly different. From these findings, we gather that when hosts live in higher temperatures, their survival rate is higher.
Figure 3 The effects of different temperatures on parasite survival. Values are mean +/- standard error. N=12 for each treatment. The results from this experiment were gathered from the Sheep-Wolf Predation model on NetLogo. Parasites in this experiment were placed at 5% reproduction in high and 10% reproduction in low temperatures. The results from this model showed that in high temperatures parasites had a mean survival rate of 52. While in low temperatures, they had a mean survival rate of 16. The p-value gathered from these variables was p≥0.01, which means that temperature and parasite survival are significantly different. From these findings, we gather that when parasites live in higher temperatures, their survival rate is higher.
The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effect temperature varieties has on M.digitata survival. Earlier research suggests that M.digitata have higher survival rates in cooler temperatures, due to their concentration on reproduction (Terán, & Matthews 2004). While, other studies show evidence of M.digitata having higher survival rates in warmer temperatures (Abe, 2003).
Our results revealed no significant difference between temperature varieties and M.digitata survival. These results clearly contradict some of the earlier research and our hypothesis. Our hypothesis was based on the belief that M.digitata were similar to other species of ectoparasites which have higher survival rates in warmer temperatures. However, when we conducted the experiment we found that this was indeed false. While other species, such as the Anopheles mosquitoes, have higher survival rates in warmer temperatures, M.digitata have higher survival rates in cooler temperatures. For our hypothesis to be accurate, our variables must be correlated. However, in our experiment, our variables were found to have not statistical correlation. Without correlation or statistically significant data, our experiment can lead to potential sources of error.
Interestingly enough, one relationship was found to be significantly different. A positive correlation was found to exist in the theoretical NetLogo model. This model supported our hypothesis because our variables were both correlated and significantly different. The results of this model showed that parasite species thrive in environments with a warmer climate. They typically have a higher survival rate when the temperature is higher, compared to when they are lower.
Throughout our experiment there were a few potential sources of error, these include: restarting the experiment due to wasp death in the early stages, the box that housed the air-temperature wasps could have been shifted, disrupting their ecosystem, and the temperature of the room was never monitored for preciseness. During the early stages of our experiment, there were discrepancies in the survival of our wasps. This could have been due to the wasps not being fed or the wasps being squished during transport. The wasps were extremely tiny, so it was very difficult to transport them from container-to-container. To transport them we used a pipe cleaner, however, since the wasps were very delicate it was a difficult job. During the experiment, we were not able to monitor the position of our box every day. Due to this, we were unable to monitor if the box was ever moved or shifted.
We performed this experiment in our normal lab room, so the temperature of the room wasn’t controlled. When we checked on our wasps the temperature was never the same, concluding that the wasps were never exposed to a specific condition. These potential errors can be useful in expanding our experiment to future sources; they can help show how our experiment can be modified in order to create better results.
Although the results show discrepancies that go against our hypothesis, with modifications, this experiment can be used in future studies to explore the effect temperature has on M.digitata and their related species survival. This study can be used to help predict the effects of climate change on wasp and other insect populations. To study this we can perform the same experiment, yet with a more realistic approach. We can have the wasps outside in different geographical regions with hot/cold temperatures. Another future implication of this study is to research how their survival rate will impact the reproduction rate, and how this will impact their future populations.
Surivial Rate of Melittobia Digitata in Temperature Varieties. (2024, Feb 19). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/document/surivial-rate-of-melittobia-digitata-in-temperature-varieties
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