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Complex relations between freshwater macro‐ and meiobenthos: interactions between Chironomus riparius and Chydorus piger
Author(s) -
Bund WOUTER J.,
DAVIDS C.
Publication year - 1993
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.1365-2427.1993.tb00738.x
Subject(s) - chironomus riparius , meiobenthos , biology , trophic level , food web , instar , ecology , intraspecific competition , larva , chironomidae , benthic zone
SUMMARY1 The potential importance of interactions between macro‐ and meiobenthos in the littoral zone of takes was studied in a series of laboratory experiments with a chironomid and a chydorid. 2 In a situation of intraspecific density dependence, Chydorus piger Sars inhibited the growth of Chironomus riparius Meigen, while both second‐ and fourth‐instar C, riparius stimulated the parthenogenetic reproduction of C. piger . 3 The meiofaunal chydorids may thus have a structuring effect on macrofaunal chironomid populations by interfering with the early‐instar larvae. 4 With macro‐ and meiofaunal species both operating at the primary consumer‐level of the food web, this kind of complex interaction will affect the magnitude of secondary production available to higher trophic levels.