Ecology and Distibution of Chironomid Larvae from Carroll County, Ohio (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Author Institution: Department of Biology, The University of AkronChironomid larvae were collected from lotic and lentic sites in Carroll Co., Ohio, from October 1981 to October 1982. Over 700 larvae were mounted on glass slides for identification. A total of 80 species was found. The species collected are listed with site and date of collection. The number of species is comparable to that reported in other studies. Gut contents are listed for 49 species, most of which are detritivores. Some species probably change feeding habits depending on their age and stream flow. Approximate emergence periods are given for 10 species

Behavior, functional morphology, and ecology related to feeding in aquatic insects with particular reference to Stenacron interpunctatum, Rhithrogena pellucida (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae), and Ephemerella needhami (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae)

Videomacroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, gut content analysis, and other techniques were used to investigate the diet, feeding behavior, and functional morphology of three species of mayflies: Stenacron interpunctatum, Rhithrogena pellucida (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae), and Ephemeraella needhami (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae). Stenacron interpunctatum was found to feed on detritus, which it collected using three distinct stereotypic feeding cycles; a brushing cycle was used to feed on loosely attached detritus, a gathering cycle was used to feed on unattached detritus, and a filtering cycle was used to feed on suspended material. Stenacron interpunctatum was classified as a collector-gatherer. Rhithrogena pellucida used two feeding cycles to ingest a diet consisting mostly of periphyton. One cycle utilized the labial palps to brush up loosely attached material, the other cycle utilized the maxillary palps to scrape up tightly accreted material. Rhithrogena pellucida was classified as a scraper. Ephemerella needhami used two feeding cycles to feed on filaments of Cladophora and associated material. One cycle used the maxillae to remove detritus from the filaments, the other used the mandibles to bite off filaments. Ephemerella needhami was classified as a collector-gatherer. Comparative studies of the mouthpart morphology of all three species at the ultrastructural level revealed morphological differences closely associated with microhabitat and diet. Brief accounts of feeding behavior are listed for gastropods, amphipods, other mayflies including: Callibaetis, Isonychia, Potamanthus, Heptagenia, Stenonema, Ephoron, and Caenidae; the caddisfly Macrostemmum, water pennies, larval blackflies, and the midge Cricotopus. The application of the techniques developed in this study to such diverse organisms proves the utility of these techniques for future studies

Environmental Biology - Ecosystems

This resource explains how energy and pollutants move through an ecosystem, how ecosystems are balanced and how they may be affected by human activities. Concepts described include the roles of organisms, food chains and food webs, pyramids of biomass, biological magnification, and biogeochemical cycles such as water, carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous cycles. Educational levels: High school, Undergraduate lower division