An Application of Mathematical Modelling to the Study of Reproductive Adaptations in the Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes Aegypti

Abstract
Two reproductive parameters, maximum progeny production and age at maximum progeny production, were estimated for 13 strains of Aedes aegypti by fitting a mathematical model, namely, the gamma distribution function, to the age-specific reproductive curves of each strain. The formosus strains were found to have the lowest level of progeny production and require the longest period of time to reach this peak. Laboratory and “hybrid” strains reached the highest level of progeny production and did so in the shortest period of time. The typical strains were intermediate. The effect of these patterns of reproductive behavior on the intrinsic rate of increase and evolutionary strategies of this mosquito is discussed.

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