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Feeding habits and dietary overlap of Naididae (Oligochaeta) from a bog stream

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Abstract

Feeding habits and dietary overlap of three species of naidid oligochaetes (Chaetogaster diastrophus, Dero digitata, Dero nivea) were studied during June 1982–December 1983 from a bog stream in Wisconsin, USA. Chaetogaster diastrophus primarily ingested diatoms, while D. digitata and D. nivea primarily ingested detritus. Dietary overlap was substantial (97–98%) between D. digitata and D. nivea using the dietary overlap coefficient. Dietary overlap between C. diastrophus and D. digitata was 58–62% and that between C. diastrophus and D. nivea was 51–55%. Dietary differences existed between the three species in the percentage of each major food type and diatom genera ingested, selective ingestion or avoidance of diatom genera and in the size classes (length and/or volume) of diatoms consumed. These data suggest temporal coexistence of these species may possibly be due to complex food resource partitioning, although in this habitat, C. diastrophus, D. digitata, and D. nivea did not exhibit concurrent peak abundances; thus, interspecific competition for food was minimized.

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Author notes

  1. Michael E. Smith

    Present address: Department of Civil Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244-1190, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, P.O. Box 413, Milwaukee, WI, 53201, USA

    Michael E. Smith & Jerry L. Kaster

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  1. Michael E. Smith
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  2. Jerry L. Kaster
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Smith, M.E., Kaster, J.L. Feeding habits and dietary overlap of Naididae (Oligochaeta) from a bog stream. Hydrobiologia 137, 193–201 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004233

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004233

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