Open AccessResistance to anoxia of Chironomus plumosus and Chironomus anthracinus (Diptera) larvae
Author(s) -
Nagell Björn,
Landahl CarlChrister
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
ecography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.973
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1600-0587
pISSN - 0906-7590
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0587.1978.tb00968.x
Subject(s) - chironomidae , midge , chironomus , larva , biology , oxygen , aeration , starvation , ecology , zoology , chemistry , organic chemistry , endocrinology
Survival of the midge larvae Chironomus plumosus and C. anthracinus in anoxia at 4°C was investigated. C. plumosus survived about twice as long as C. anthracinus . The corresponding LT 50 values were ca 205 and 100 d. There was no statistically significant difference between the survival in anoxia and in aerated water, which indicates that the main reason for death in anoxia is not the absence of oxygen. This main reason is presumed to be starvation. The presence of undissociated H 2 S in low concentrations (ca 1.2 mg 1 −1 ) did not influence the survival. In anoxia the larvae were usually motionless and did not feed but they increased in weight due to uptake of water. During 43 d C. plumosus and C. anthracinus increased ca. 10%.