Summary
A series of experiments were carried out to determine whether substrate selection could be demonstrated in the case of chironomid larvae of the species Nilodorum brevibucca Freeman in the absence of competition for food. Definite substrate preferences were exhibited. In particular, coarse sand was avoided, and this could be related to the suitability of the particles as a tube building material. In addition, the substrate affected the rate of migration and settlement of larvae. The application of these results to field distribution patterns of chironomid larvae has been considered.
Zusammenfassung
Eine Series von Experimenten wurde ausgeführt, um festzustellen, ob eine Auswahl von Substraten in Abwesenheit eines Wettstreits um Nahrung im Falle der Species Nilodorum brevibucca Freeman demonstreit werden kann. Es zeigte sich eindeutige Bevorzugung von Substraten. Grober Sand wurde besonders vermieden, was durch die Eignung der Partikel als Baumaterial für die Röhren bedingt sein könnte. Außerdem wurde die Wanderungsrate und die Ansiedlung von Larven durch das Substrat beeinträchtigt. Die Anwendung dieser Resultate auf das Verteilungsschema von Chironomiden-Larven im Feld wurde erwogen.
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Now at Biology Department, Chancellor College, University of Malawi.
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McLachlan, A.J. Substrate preferences and invasion behaviour exhibited by larvae of nilodorum brevibucca freeman (Chironomidae) under experimental conditions. Hydrobiologia 33, 237–249 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00034924
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00034924