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The responses to current flow of two stream dwelling triclads, Crenobia alpina (Dana) and Polycelis felina (Dalyell)

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Summary

An apparatus is described which allows triclads to choose between the fast and slow regions of a stirred tank. In the absence of a stone substratum Crenobia alpina preferred or tolerated higher current speeds than Polycelis felina, this effect was enhanced when a stone substratum was added to the apparatus. These results indicate that the absence of Polycelis felina from the steep gradient regions of streams could be accounted for by its preference for slower micro-currents. Conversely the presence of Crenobia alpina in steep gradient regions could be accounted for by its preference for or tolerance to higher micro-currents.

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Lock, M.A. The responses to current flow of two stream dwelling triclads, Crenobia alpina (Dana) and Polycelis felina (Dalyell). Oecologia 10, 313–320 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345735

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00345735

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