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The ecology of the Chironomidae in a Phragmites reedbed at Cop Mere (Staffordshire, England)

Bell, Peter Geoffrey

The ecology of the Chironomidae in a Phragmites reedbed at Cop Mere (Staffordshire, England) Thumbnail


Authors

Peter Geoffrey Bell



Abstract

The Chironomidae occupying a Phragmites reedbed at Cop Mere, Staffordshire were studied during 1981 and 1982. In 1981, reedstem-dwelling larvae were sampled at monthly intervals from three zones running parallel with the reedbed/open-water interface, lying at the front (lakeward edge) (Zone 1), middle (Zone 2) and back (landward edge) (Zone 3) of the aquatic part of the reedbed. The highest monthly chironomid larval density and biomass usually existed in Zone 1 and the lowest in Zone 3. Significant interzonal density and biomass variation occurred at various times of the year; such variation was consistently manifest between Zones 1 and 3, except in density during April. Seventeen chironomid taxa were identified on reedstems, Glyptotendipes pallens and Camptochironomus tentans being the most abundant of the nine Chironominae taxa found; eight Orthocladiinae taxa were represented, Cricotopus sylvestris accounting for over 95% of all reedstem-dwelling chironomid larvae. For each taxon, ecologically significant interzonal abundance differences were often found. These were largely attributed to interzonal variation in epiphytic shelter. In some species (e. g. Cconptochironomus tentans, Cricotopus syZvestris and Parachironomus arcuatus), higher densities towards open water may have reflected a positive phototactic response in early instars. The benthic-dwelling larval community showed interzonal variation: the predominant species, Camptochironomus tentans, was most abundant towards the reedbed front, whereas Glyptotendipes pallens favoured the area around Zone 3. Interzonal substrate variation may have been the biggest influence on species distribution. The semi-aquatic reedbed area supported a distinctive larval community; Tanytarsus, Metriocnemus sp. A and Pentaneurini sp. A predominated. Adult chironomid population data derived from emergence trap catches was used principally to supplement and corroborate information relating to larval populations.
Temporal chironomid density patterns appeared to be determined primarily by intrinsic species characteristics, especially those which govern seasonal patterns of egg-laying.

Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024

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