Qualitative and Quantitative Examination of Algal Flora in the Gut Content of <i>Tanypus punctipennis</i> Meigen, 1818

Larval chironomids feed on algae, diatomae, detritus, decaying plant and animal fragments. The larvae in turn are food for other carnivore and omnivore animals. Thus, larval chironomids have a very important role in the aquatic food cycle. In this study, the algal flora in the stomachs of Tanypus punctipennis , which is known as a very common species in Turkish Thrace, was examined in terms of qualitative and quantitative factors. It was found that Bacillariophyta was the dominant group with 43 taxa in the stomach of T. punctipennis. It was followed by Cyanophyta with 7 taxa, Euglenophyta with 6 taxa, Chlorophyta with 4 taxa, Carophyta with 2 taxa, and Rhodophyta with 1 taxa.