Aquatic Biodiversity and Mosquito Ecology in Urban Wetlands Jayne K. Hanford April 2020 School of Life and Environmental Sciences The University of Sydney A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Declaration This is to certify that the content of this thesis is my own work. This thesis has not been submitted for any other degree or diploma at any other university or institution. I consent to this thesis being made available for photocopying and loan under the appropriate Australian copyright laws. Funding sources This research was financially funded in part through grants from the Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment (grant numbers HOLSW2016-R1-F113, 2017-R1, 2019-R2) and the Society of Wetlands Scientists Student Research Award (2016). Jayne K. Hanford Title page photos L-R: mosquito trap, J. Hanford; juvenile corixid, J. Hanford; macroinvertebrate sampling, C. Tyler. ii Table of Contents Author attributions ............................................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................ vi Abstract ................................................................................................................................................ 1 Chapter 1: ............................................................................................................................................. 2 General introduction ....................................................................................................................... 2 Thesis scope and aims .................................................................................................................. 4 Thesis conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 7 A note on redundancy and authorship .......................................................................................... 7 References .................................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 2: ........................................................................................................................................... 11 Integrating urban wetland and mosquito research to link environmental and human health 11 Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... 11 In a nutshell ................................................................................................................................. 12 Why are urban wetlands growing in number? ............................................................................. 15 Intersections between urban wetlands and mosquitoes .............................................................. 16 Opportunities for multiple benefits through building bridges ....................................................... 20 Connecting wetlands and mosquito research ............................................................................. 24 References .................................................................................................................................. 25 Chapter 3: ........................................................................................................................................... 28 Habitat traits associated with mosquito risk and aquatic diversity in urban wetlands .......... 28 Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... 29 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 29 Methods ....................................................................................................................................... 32 Results ........................................................................................................................................ 37 Discussion ................................................................................................................................... 49 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................. 55 Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... 56 References .................................................................................................................................. 56 Chapter 4: ........................................................................................................................................... 63 Human population density is linked to abundance of container-inhabiting mosquitoes at urban wetlands .............................................................................................................................. 63 Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... 63 Graphical Abstract ....................................................................................................................... 65 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 65 Materials and Methods ................................................................................................................ 68 i Results ........................................................................................................................................ 70 Discussion ................................................................................................................................... 80 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................. 84 References .................................................................................................................................. 84 Chapter 5: ........................................................................................................................................... 89 Observations of an unexpected abundance of estuarine mosquitoes associated with an urban freshwater wetland ............................................................................................................. 89 Abstract ....................................................................................................................................... 89 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 90 Methods ....................................................................................................................................... 92 Results and discussion ................................................................................................................ 96 Acknowledgments ..................................................................................................................... 100 References ................................................................................................................................ 100 Chapter 6: ......................................................................................................................................... 103 Management of urban wetlands for conservation can reduce aquatic biodiversity and increase mosquito risk ................................................................................................................ 103 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 103 Graphical Abstract ..................................................................................................................... 105 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 105 Materials and Methods .............................................................................................................. 107 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 113 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 123 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... 128 Data availability statement ........................................................................................................ 129 References ................................................................................................................................ 129 Chapter 7: ......................................................................................................................................... 133 Oviposition behavior of Culex annulirostris (Diptera: Culicidae) is affected by the recent presence of invasive Gambusia holbrooki (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae)