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Feeding Ecology of Two Plecopterans in Low Order Andean‐Patagonian Streams
Author(s) -
Albariño Ricardo J.,
Díaz Villanueva Verónica
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international review of hydrobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1522-2632
pISSN - 1434-2944
DOI - 10.1002/iroh.200510823
Subject(s) - periphyton , streams , ecology , habitat , plant litter , facultative , ecosystem , abundance (ecology) , biology , litter , invertebrate , river ecosystem , biomass (ecology) , computer network , computer science
Feeding plasticity of the Andean plecopteran Klapopteryx kuscheli and Notoperla archiplatae larvae was assessed through a field experiment using enclosures. K. kuscheli has previously been described as a shredder and N. archiplatae as a scraper. Further information on gut contents from different populations supported those results. In the experiment, larvae of both species were exposed to contrasting food items: leaf litter and periphyton. Consumption, growth and the efficiency of food conversion were measured. K. kuscheli was able to feed on periphyton, though it did not grow. N. archiplatae failed to feed on leaf litter. While K. kuscheli might be considered a facultative shredder, N. archiplatae functions as a specialist scraper. The natural distribution and seasonal abundance in two small streams showed contrasting habitat use of both species. N. archiplatae inhabited high velocity runs and riffles underneath large substrates while K. kuscheli presented a higher habitat plasticity. Implications of those results for ecosystem function are discussed. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)