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An analysis of aggregations formed by the caddis fly larva Potamophylax latipennis in its natural habitat
Author(s) -
Campbell J. I.,
Meadows P. S.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1972.tb01724.x
Subject(s) - larva , silt , biology , habitat , substrate (aquarium) , fly larvae , ecology , paleontology
Cases of the larvae of the caddis fly Potamophylax latipennis (Curtis) (Trichoptera) were collected from a 60 m stretch of the River Allander, Milngavie, Dunbartonshire, Scotland. Water depth ranged from 2 to 25 cm and water speed from 0·25 to 0·66 m/sec. The river bottom consisted of gravel and stones lying on a compact silt substrate. The size of the stones ranged from under 1 cm to 22 cm in diameter. Larval cases were only found on the undersurfaces of large stones of a diameter 11 cm to 22 cm, and were not limited to any particular shape of stone. Analysis of the microdistribution of larval cases on the undersurfaces of the large stones revealed two levels of aggregation. Firstly, cases were found only on particular stones, and secondly, they were aggregated on particular areas of the undersurfaces of those stones. These aggregations may be the result of gregarious behaviour, or be caused by certain large stones and particular areas of the undersurfaces of those stones having the most suitable microenvironment for attachment. Cases usually faced into the current. A short description of the larval case is given.