ISSN:
1573-5117
Keywords:
Chironomidae
;
stream ecology
;
benthos
;
sampling
;
diversity
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Chironomid larvae were collected from streams in the Big Thicket area of East Texas from November, 1981 to October, 1982. Primary stations were sampled monthly and secondary stations bi-annually. Samples of leaf debris, wood debris, and sand were taken from each station and the chironomid larvae occupying the substrates were analyzed. A total of 15 112 individuals including 87 species were collected. Four subfamilies of Chironomidae were represented: Tanypodinae (12 species), Diamesinae (2 species), Orthocladiinae (30 species), and Chironominae (43 species). The collections yielded a larger number of individuals and species than previous environmental studies in the Big Thicket. Twenty-two species are reported for the first time from Texas. The lowest number of individuals occupied the leaf debris with Rheotanytarsus sp. and Tanytarsus sp. 2 being dominant. The wood debris, probably the most stable of the substrates, contained the highest number of species with Tanytarsus sp. 2 being dominant. Most individuals occurred in the sandy bottom where Lopescladius sp. was dominant. Tanytarsus sp. 1 occurred in over 65 percent of the samples. The populations were generally higher during the autumn. This was probably a result of the life cycle and the effects of environmental factors. More younger instars occurred during the late summer and autumn. Also, water flow during the summer and autumn was low, providing a more stable environment, promoting chironomid population growth.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00008697
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