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Seasonal migration by larvae of an epiphytic chironomid
Author(s) -
KORNIJÓW RYSZARD
Publication year - 1992
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.1365-2427.1992.tb00525.x
Subject(s) - benthic zone , larva , epiphyte , biology , dominance (genetics) , ecology , littoral zone , instar , spawn (biology) , pupa , sediment , fauna , paleontology , biochemistry , gene
SUMMARY 1. A clear seasonal alternation of Endochiranomus albipennis larvae between submerged plants and the bottom sediment was observed in the littoral of a deep mesotrophic and a shallow eutrophic lake. The analysis of change in larval density and of occurrence of pupae suggests that larvae migrated from plants to the bottom sediment in early autumn and back to the plants, where they pupate, in spring. 2. Up to 95% of the third and fourth instar larvae overwintered in the bottom sediment in special cocoons. Larvae staying in the sediment without cocoons were also dormant. The timing of cocoon formation was different in the two lakes. 3. Migration may have a significant influence on the seasonal changes in dominance structure and density of epiphytic and benthic faunas.