Use of algal monocultures by larvae of Hydroptila waubesiana and Oxyethirapallida (Trichoptera : Hydroptilidae)

Citation
Jb. Keiper et al., Use of algal monocultures by larvae of Hydroptila waubesiana and Oxyethirapallida (Trichoptera : Hydroptilidae), HYDROBIOL, 380, 1998, pp. 87-91
Citations number
29
Categorie Soggetti
Aquatic Sciences
Journal title
HYDROBIOLOGIA
ISSN journal
00188158 → ACNP
Volume
380
Year of publication
1998
Pages
87 - 91
Database
ISI
SICI code
0018-8158(1998)380:<87:UOAMBL>2.0.ZU;2-R
Abstract
Larvae of the microcaddisflies Hydroptila waubesiana Betten and Oxyethira p allida (Banks) were given monocultures of eight genera of algae to test the ir suitability as food sources, and to investigate the degree of trophic sp ecialization exhibited by these larvae. Only those larvae given green algae (Chlorophyta) survived and emerged as adults. Oxyethira pallida consumed Z ygnema and Spirogyra, and exhibited the shortest larval-pupal period on Spi rogyra (P < 0.05). Similarly, H. waubesiana consumed Zygnema and Cladophora , but exhibited the shortest larval-pupal period on Cladophora (P < 0.001). Diatoms and Hydrodictyon allowed H. waubesiana to attain partial growth on ly, while O, pallida did not consume either alga. Oscillatoria and Anabaena were not consumed by either species. The larvae of the two species tested appear to obtain adequate nourishment from only a narrow spectrum of algae, and one alga allowed significantly faster growth compared to the others te sted in each case.