Abstract
Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the effects of aluminum, calcium and low pH on egg hatching and nymphal survival of the mayfly Cloeon triangulifer. Percent successful hatch (living nymphs breaking free of the chorion) decreased and percent partial hatch (nymphs dying attached to the chorion) increased with increasing acidity (pH 7.5–3.0). Most hatches occurring below pH 5.0 were partial hatches. Decreased time of exposure to acidic waters increased percent successful hatch and decreased percent partial hatch. Time to first hatch was not affected by pH. Eggs were incubated in acidic waters (pH 4.0 and 5.5) with additions of calcium (10 and 100 mg l−1) and aluminum (100 and 500 μg l−1). Aluminum decreased percent successful hatch and increased percent partial hatch and calcium increased both percent successful hatch and percent partial hatch. Time to first hatch was increased by both aluminum and calcium. The 96 h LC50 for small nymphs was pH 4.75. Addition of aluminum (100 and 500 µg l−1) to acidic waters (pH 4.0 and 5.0) reduced nymphal mortality by 8–22%. Toxic effects of low pH on egg hatching and early nymphs may contribute to the absence of mayflies from acidified habitats.
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Contribution No. 1469 of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469 USA.
Contribution No. 1469 of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04469 USA.
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Tabak, L.M., Gibbs, K.E. Effects of aluminum, calcium and low pH on egg hatching and nymphal survival of Cloeon triangulifer McDunnough (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae). Hydrobiologia 218, 157–166 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006788
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006788