Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Life history, secondary production and trophic basis of two dominant mayflies in a subtropical stream of China

  • Biology
  • Published:
Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Mayflies constitute a major part of macroinvertebrate biomass and production in lotic ecosystems, and play an important role in material cycle and energy flow. There are more than 250 species of mayflies in rivers and streams of China. In order to learn their ecological functions, an investigation on life cycle, production and trophic basis of dominant species of mayflies in a second-order branch of Hanjiang River basin, Hubei, China was carried out during June 2003 to June 2004. The results showed that the dominant mayfly species Epeorus sp. and Caenis sp. developed two generations per year; in term of Epeorus sp., putation mainly occurred in spring and then from late summer to early autumn, while Caenis sp. pupated in spring and autumn. The abundance and biomass of the Epeorus sp. population peaked twice (1 226 ind/m2, 3.142 5g/m2) in April and June. Caenis sp. also had two peaks (307ind/m2, 1.590 g/m2), but in February and June. Cohort production and cohort P/B ratio of Epeorus sp. were 161.009 g/m2 wet weight and 7.7, respectively, and annual production and P/B ratio were 267.46g/m2.a wet weight and 15.4, respectively; cohort production and P/B ratio of Caenis sp. were 26.7995g/m2 wet weight and 4.7, its annual production and P/B ratio were 53.60 g/m2.a wet weight and 9.4, respectively. For Epeorus sp., the proportions contributing to secondary production of the main food types were: amorphous detritus, 33.46%; fungi, 10.83%; vascular plant detritus, 1.80%; diatoms, 53.90%; for Caenis sp., the proportions were 70.79%, 6.90%, 3.52% and 18.77%, respectively.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Reference

  • Benke, A. C., 1993. Baldi Memorial Lecture: Concepts and patterns of invertebrate production in running waters. Verhandlung der Internationale Vereinigung für theoretische und angewandte Limnologie 25: 15–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benke, A. C. and D. I. Jacobi, 1994. Production dynamics and resource utilization of snag-dwelling mayflies in a blackwater river. Ecology 75: 1219–1232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benke, A. C. and J. B. Wallace, 1980. Trophic basis of production among net-spinning caddisflies in a southern Appalachian stream. Ecology 61:108–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benke, A. C. and J. B. Wallace, 1997. Trophic basis of production among riverine caddisflies: implications for food web analysis. Ecology 78:1 132–1 145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benke, A. C., 1979. A modification of the Hynes method for estimating secondary production with particular significance for multivoltine populations. Limnology and Oceanography 24: 168–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benke, A. C., T. C. Arsdall, and D.M. Gillespie and F. K. Parrish, 1984. Invertebrate productivity in a subtropical blackwater river: the importance of habitat and life history. Ecological Monographs 54(1): 25–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brittain, J. E., 1982. Biology of mayflies. Annual Review of Entomology 27: 119–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christman, V. D. and J. R. Voshell, 1992. Life history, growth and production of Ephemeroptera in experimental ponds. Annual of Entomological Society of America 85: 705–712.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clifford, H. F., 1982. Life cycles of mayflies (Ephemeroptera), with special reference to voltinism. Quaestionae Entomologicae 18: 15–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Covich, A. P., M. A. Palmer and T. A. Crowl, 1999. The Role of Benthic Invertebrate Species in Freshwater Ecosystems. BioScience 49(2): 119–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cummins, K. W., 1973. Trophic relations of aquatic insects. Annual Review of Entomology 18:183–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dudgeon, D., 1999b. Patterns of variation in secondary production in a tropical stream. Archiv für Hydrobiologie 144: 271–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, J. M., U. H. Humpesch and T. T Macan, 1988. Larvae of the British Ephemeroptera: a key with ecological notes. Scientific Publications of Freshwater Biological Association. 49.

  • Fisher, S. G. and L. J. Gray, 1983. Secondary production and organic matter processing by collector macroin vertebrates in a desert stream. Ecology 64: 1 217–1 224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaines, W. L., C. E. Cushing and S. D. Smith, 1992. Secondary production estimates of benthic insects in three cold desert streams. Great Basin Naturialist 52: 11–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Georgian, T. and J. B. Wallace, 1983. Seasonal production dynamics in a guild of periphyton-grazing insects in a southern Appalachian stream. Ecology 64:1 236–1 248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gonz’alez, J. M., A. Basaguren and J. Pozo, 2001. Life history and production of Caenis luctuosa (Burmeister) (Ephemeroptera, Caenidae) in two nearby reaches along a small stream. Hydrobiologia 452: 209–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • González, J. M., A. Basaguren and J. Pozo, 2003. Life history, production and coexistence of two Leptophlebiid mayflies in three sites along a Northern Spain stream. Archiv, für Hydrobiologie 158(3): 303–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffith, M. B., S. A. Perry and W. B. Perry, 1994. Secondary production of macroinvertebrate shredders in headwater streams with different baseflow alkalinity. Journal of North American Benthology Society 13: 345–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graubaugh, J. W., J. B. Wallace and E. S. Houston, 1997. Production of benthic macroinvertebrate communities along a southern Appalachian river continuum. Freshwater Biology 37: 581–596.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, R. O., Jr, G. E. Likens and H. M. Malcom, 2001. Trophic basis of invertebrate production in 2 streams at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 20(3): 432–447.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, A. L., 1969. On estimating annual production. Limnology and Oceanography 14: 771–782.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huryn, A. D. and J. B. Wallance, 2000. Life history and production of stream insects. Annual Review of Entomology 45: 83–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hynes, H. B. N. and M. J. Coleman, 1968. A simple method of assessing the annual production of stream benthos. Limnology and Oceanography 13: 569–573.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, B. R., D. C. Tarter, and J. J. Hutchens, 2000. Life history and trophic basis of production of the mayfly Callibaetis fluctuans (Walsh) (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) in a mitigated wetland, West Virginia, USA. Wetlands 20(2): 397–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landa, V., 1968. Development cycles of central European Ephemeroptera and their interrelations. Acta Entomology of Bohemoslov 65: 276–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lobinske, R. J., A. Ali and I. J. Stout, 1996. Life history and productivity of Hexagenia limbata (Ephemeroptera: Ephemeridae) and selected physico-chemical parameters in two tributaries of the Wekiva river, central Florida. Florida Entomologist 79(4): 543–551.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Macfarlane, M. B. and T. F. Waters, 1982. Annual production by caddisflies and mayflies in a western Minnesota plains stream. Canadian Journal of Fishery and Aquatic Sciences 39: 1 28–1 635.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Majecki, J., M. Grzybkowska and R. Reddy, 1997. Density, production and life cycle of Brachycentrus subnubilus Cuttis (Trichoptera: Brachycentridae) in a lowland river, Central Poland. Hydrobiologia 354:51–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mantel, S. K. and D. Dudgeon, 2004. Dietary variation in a predatory shrimp Macrobrachium hainanense (Palaemonidae) in Hong Kong forest streams. Archiv für Hydrobiologie 160: 305–328.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClure, R. G. and K. W. Stewart, 1976. Life cycle and production of the mayfly Choroterpes (Neochoroterpes) mexicanus Allen (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae). Annual Entomological Society of America 69:134–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menzie, C. A., 1980. A note on the Hynes method of estimating secondary production. Limnology and Oceanography 25(4): 770–773.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mol, A. W., 1983. Caenis lactea (Burmeister) in the Netherlands (Ephemeroptera: Caenidae). Entomology of Berichten 43: 119–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morin, A. and N. Bourassa, 1992. Modeles empiriques de la production annuelle et du rapport P/B d’invertebres benthiques d’eau courtante. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 49: 532–539.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oertli, B., 1993. Leaf litter processing and energy flow through macroinvertebrates in a woodland pond (Switzerland). Oecologia 96: 466–477.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perán, A., J. Velasco and A. Millán, 1999. Life cycle and secondary production of Caenis luctuosa (Ephemeroptera) in a semiarid stream (Southeast Spain). Hydrobiologia 400: 187–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polis, G. A., 1994. Food webs, trophic cascades and community structure. Australian Journal of Ecology 19: 121–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, C. T. and G. W. Minshall, 1998. Macroinvertebrate communities, secondary production, and life history patterns in two adjacent streams in Idaho, USA. Archiv für Hydrobiologie 142: 257–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers, E. B., 1982. Production of Caenis (Ephemeroptera: Caenidae) in elevated water temperatures. Freshwater Invertebrate Biology 1: 2–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salas, M. and D. Dudgeon, 2003. Life histories, production dynamics and resource utilisation of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) in two tropical Asian forest streams. Freshwater Biology 48:485–499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez, M. and A. C. Hendricks, 1997. Life history and secondary production of Cheumatopsyche spp. In a small Appalachian stream with two different land uses on its watershed. Hydrobiologia 354:127–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Statzner, B., K. Hoppenhaus, M. F. Arens and P. Richoux, 1997. Reproductive traits, habitat use and templet theory: a synthesis of world wide data on aquatic insects. Freshwater Biology 38: 109–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, C. R. and A. G. Hildrew, 1994. Species traits in relation to a habitat templet for river systems. Freshwater Biology 31:265–275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Usseglio-Polatera, P. and H. Tachet, 1994. Theoretical habitat templets, species traits, and species richness: Plecoptera and Ephemeroptera in the Upper Rhône River and its floodplain. Freshwater Biology 31: 357–375.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Usseglio-Polatera, P., M. Boumaud and P. Richoux, 2000. Biological and ecological traits of benthic freshwater macroinvertebrates: relationships and definition of groups with similar traits. Freshwater Biology 43: 175–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vannote, R., G. W. Minshall, K. W. Cummins, J. R. Sedell and C. E. Cushing, 1980. The river continuum concept. Canadian Journal of Fishery and Aquatic Sciences 37: 130–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, J. B. and J. R. Webster, 1996. The role of macroinvertebrates in stream ecosystem function. Annual Review of Entomology 41:115–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, J. B., A. C. Benke, A. H. Lingle and K. Parsons, 1987. Trophic pathways of macroinvertebrate primary consumers in subtropical blackwater streams. Archiv für Hydrobiologie (Supplement) 74: 423–451.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, J. B., S. L. Eggert, J. L. Meyer and J. R. Webster, 1997. Multiple trophic levels of a forest stream linked to terrestrial litter inputs. Science 277: 102–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ward, J. V. and J. A. Stanford, 1982. Thermal responses in the evolutionary ecology of aquatic insects. Annual Review of Entomology 27: 97–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waters, T. F., 1977. Secondary production in inland waters. In: A. Macfadyen, ed. Advances in Ecological Research Vol. 10, Academic Press, 91–164.

  • Welton, J. S., M. Ladle and J. A. B. Bass, 1982. Growth and production of five species of Ephemeraptera larvae from an experimental recirculating stream. Freashwater Biology 12: 103–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whiles, M. R. and J. B. Wallace, 1995. Macroinvertebrate production in a headwater stream during recovery from anthropogenic disturbance and hydrological extremes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 52: 2 402–2 422.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan, Y. and Y. Liang, 1999. A study of dry-to-wet weight ratio of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Science Edition), 27(9): 61–63. (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Yan Yunjun  (闫云君) & Li Xiaoyu  (李晓宇)

Authors
  1. Yan Yunjun  (闫云君)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Li Xiaoyu  (李晓宇)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported by the NSFC (No.30270278).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yan, Y., Li, X. Life history, secondary production and trophic basis of two dominant mayflies in a subtropical stream of China. Chin. J. Ocean. Limnol. 25, 106–115 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-007-0106-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-007-0106-9

Key word

Search

Navigation