Sougue E. auteur aut IRD Dabiré R. K. auteur aut IRD Roux Olivier auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access For species lacking parental care, selection of a suitable habitat for their offspring, with a limited predation risk, is important. The ability of two African malaria mosquito females to detect a predation threat for their larvae was assessed through an oviposition choice test design. Our results suggest that gravid females of both Anopheles gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii (Diptera, Culicidae) were able to detect the presence of a predator (Anisops jaczewskii, Notonectidae, Hemiptera; backswimmer). However, An. coluzzii were more likely to choose the cups containing predation cues while An. gambiae tended to avoid them for oviposition. Anopheles coluzzii females might use either alarm cues or pre-digestive cues from the external prey digestion to gauge the threat level, while An. gambiae females might use predator cues (odor or vibrations) or digestive cues from the predator. Compared to An. gambiae, An. coluzzii females seemed to accept the predation threat for their larvae to some extent. These results are consistent with the observed larval distribution in the field. Anopheles coluzzii larvae are found in complex permanent reservoirs in which the predation pressure is high, while An. gambiae larvae are more frequently found in temporary reservoirs with a lower predation threat. To our knowledge, this is the first time such a divergence in oviposition strategies regarding predation risk management by females is shown between closely related mosquito species. specialized Anti-predator response Oviposition habitat selection Anopheles coluzzii Anopheles gambiae 052 221 106016 [5 p.] 2021 0001-706X https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010082609 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106016 0001-706X [F B010082609] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010082609 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2021-09/010082609.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2021-09-17 2025-02-24 fdi:010082609 fre