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Feeding efficiencies of Chironomus plumosus (L.) and C. anthracinus Zett. (Diptera: Chironomidae) in mesotrophic Lake Erken
Author(s) -
JOHNSON RICHARD K.
Publication year - 1985
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.1365-2427.1985.tb00231.x
Subject(s) - chironomidae , phytoplankton , chironomus , biology , flagellate , dominance (genetics) , nitrogen , ecology , environmental chemistry , zoology , botany , chemistry , nutrient , larva , biochemistry , organic chemistry , gene
SUMMARY.1 Absorption efficiencies of nitrogen and carbon in two Chironomus species found dominating in the profundal zone of mesotrophic Lake Erken were determined gravimetrically. 2 Absorption efficiencies for C. plumosus showed greater seasonal variation than those of C. anthracinus , with low efficiencies coinciding with the summer dominance of flagellate phytoplankton and with high C:N ratios. 3 Overall mean absorption efficiencies (±SE) for carbon and nitrogen, respectively, were 26.8% (±1.9) and 29.3% (±1.9) for C. plumosus , 24.6% (±1.7) and 28.1% (±1.8) for C. anthracinus.4 Significant differences were found to exist between the C: N ratios of the superficial 2 cm sediment layers and those of Chironomus anterior midgut contents. 5 C. anthracinus appears to be a deposit feeder ingesting particulate matter scraped from the recently deposited surface sediments. The greater seasonal variation found in the absorption efficiencies of C. plumosus , together with the lower C:N ratios, support the contention that this species is a filter feeder with the nutritional quality of ingested matter depending primarily on pelagic inputs.