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A serological investigation of the diet of Helobdella stagnalis (Hirudinea: Glossiphoniidae) in British lakes
Author(s) -
Young Johnstone O.
Publication year - 1980
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.1469-7998.1980.tb04244.x
Subject(s) - biology , chironomidae , amphipoda , predation , ecology , cladocera , zoology , crustacean , larva
The food of Helobdella stagnalis living in unproductive and productive British lakes has been determined using the precipitin test. Antisera were produced against each of ten potential prey groups. Correction factors were applied to basic data to compensate for differences in leech size and seasonal changes in field temperatures. In both types of lake, Oligochaeta followed by Chironomidae were most heavily utilized, whilst Trichoptera, Cladocera and Tricladida were least favoured. More Mollusca were eaten in productive than unproductive lakes, reflecting availability. In productive lakes, Asellus and Amphipoda together constituted the same proportion (about 25%) of the overall diet as Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera in unproductive lakes. Diet did not vary much during the course of a year, though diversity was lower in winter. Feeding activity varied seasonally being lowest in winter. Prey category utilization by small, medium and large leeches did not differ significantly.