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Seasonal dynamics of Chironomidae (Diptera) on the Bulrush Schoenoplectus lacustris in a chalk stream
Author(s) -
DRAKE C. M.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2427.1982.tb00618.x
Subject(s) - chironomidae , biology , ecology , detritus , fauna , population , species richness , larva , demography , sociology
SUMMARY. The chironomid fauna of a chalk stream in southern England is described from 1 year's catches of emerging adults and 2 year's quantitative samples of larvae on Common Clubrush, Schoertoplectus lacustris. The number of species in eaeh higher taxon as adult males and larvae on Schoenoplectus were: Tanypodinae, nine and three; Diamesinae, two for both; Orthoeladiinae, 26 for both; Chironomini. twelve and six; Tanytarsini, seven and five, respectively. A total of 66 species was recorded for both life stages. Adult Orthocladiinae were caught throughout the year. Tanytarsini were absent for a few weeks in winter, and Tanypodinae and Chironomini were caught for shorter periods in warmer months. Chironomids 93.5% of the total invertebrates on Schoenoplectus. Life histories are deseribed for seven speeies that formed 91% of the identified chironomids (32% of the total were unidentifiable first and second instar larvae). Four of these life histories appear for the first time. All seven species were multivoltine and had continuous recruitment for part of the year. The species diversity of larvae was mostly in the range 1.5–3.0 and it was determined more by equitability than by species richness. The numbers of chironomids through time were dependent on the weight of detritus on the leaves (r 2 = 0.69) and the availability of detritus therefore partly controlled their population size.