Abstract
The effect of preservation methods on dry weight (DW) and ash-free dry weight (AFDW) of Radix peregra (Gastropoda), Asellus aquaticus (Isopoda), Erpobdella octoculata (Hirudinea) and Glyptotendipes sp. (Chironomidae) was studied. Ethanol, formaldehyde, and Bouin were used as preservative. In case of preservation of macro-invertebrates in ethanol substancial changes in DW and AFDW biomass were observed. In the four different taxa the loss in DW varied between 7.2–21.9% after a 3 month preservation period in 70% ethanol. A comparatively small range in AFDW loss (16.2–19.7%) was found. Changes in DW and AFDW biomass during preservation were significantly affected by the duration of the preservation, by temperature, light conditions and the volume of the preservative. The changes in AFDW were also significantly affected by the concentration of the preservatives. Preservation in 10% formaldehyde did not cause significant changes in DW and AFDW biomass.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dermott, R. M. & C. G. Paterson, 1974. Determining dry weight and percentage dry matter of chironomid larvae. Can. J. Zool. 52: 1243–1250.
Donald, G. L. & C. G. Paterson, 1977. Effect of preservation on wet weight biomass of chironomid larvae. Hydrobiologia 53: 75#x2013;80.
Geng, H., 1925. Der Futterwelt der natürlichen Fischnahrung. Z. Fisch. 23: 137#x2013;165.
Hartog, C. den, 1978. Structural and functional aspects of macrophyte-dominated aquatic systems. Proc. EWRS 5th Symp. aquat. Weeds: 35–41.
Hollander, M. & D. A. Wolfe, 1973. A distribution-free test for ordered alternatives. In Non parametric statistical methods. Wiley & Sons, N.Y.: 120#x2013;123.
Howmiller, R. P., 1972. Effects of preservatives on weight of some common macro-benthic invertebrates. Trans. am. Fish. Soc. 101: 743#x2013;746.
Landahl, C. C. & B. Nagell, 1978. Influence of the season and of preservation methods on wet- and dry weights of larvae of Chironomus plumosus L. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 63: 405#x2013;410.
Lappalainen, A. & P. Kangas, 1975. Littoral benthos of the Northern Baltic Sea, 2. Interrelationships of wet, dry and ash-free dry weights of macro-fauna in the Tvärminne area. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 10: 297#x2013;312.
Mackay, R. J. & J. Kalff, 1969. Seasonal variation in standing crop and species diversity of insect communities in a small Quebec stream. Ecology 50: 101#x2013;109.
Maslin, J. L. & E. Pattee, 1981. La production du peuplement benthique d'une petite rivière: Son evaluation par la méthode de Hynes, Coleman et Hamilton. Arch. Hydrobiol. 92: 321#x2013;345.
Romeis, B., 1948. Mikroskopische Technik. Leibniz Verlag, München, 696 pp.
Stanford, J. A., 1972. A centrifuge method for determining live weights of aquatic insect larvae, with a note on weight loss in preservative. Ecology 54: 449#x2013;451.
Stirn, J., 1981. Manual of methods in aquatic environment research. Part.8. Ecological assessment of pollution effects. FAO Fish. tech. Pap. 209 (FIRI/T 209), 70 pp.
Wiederholm, T. & L. Eriksson, 1977. Effects of alcohol-preservation on the weight of some benthic invertebrates. Zoon 5: 29#x2013;31.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Contribution nr. 42 of the nymphalid project.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Leuven, R.S.E.W., Brock, T.C.M. & van Druten, H.A.M. Effects of preservation on dry- and ash-free dry weight biomass of some common aquatic macro-invertebrates. Hydrobiologia 127, 151–159 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004193
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004193