Changes in the Chironomid (Diptera: Chironomidae) Fauna of Laurel Creek Reservoir, Waterloo, Ontario

1983 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. W. Sephton ◽  
B. A. Hicks ◽  
C. H. Fernando ◽  
C. G. Paterson
Keyword(s):  
Laurel Creek

An ecological study of the branchiobdellid commensals (Annelida-Branchiobdellidae) of some mid-western Ontario crayfish

1968 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 835-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Host Specificity ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Ecological Study ◽  
Rabbit Serum ◽  
First Year ◽  
Serological Testing ◽  
Severe Winter ◽  
Orconectes Propinquus ◽  
Winter Conditions ◽  
Laurel Creek

Orconectes propinquus and Cambarus robustus from the Speed River, Sunfish Lake, and Laurel Creek, harbor two branchiobdellids, Cambarincola chirocephala and Pterodrilus distichus. Both adult and cocoon populations of the dominant species (C. chirocephala) are proportional to the size of the host throughout the year, except that first-year crayfish are free of cocoons. The reduction in total number of commensals from autumn to spring can be attributed to severe winter conditions. A subrostral site of preference for adult branchiobdellid attachment, and a dominant abdomen I and II site for cocoon deposition are indicated for O. propinquus. On C. robustus, adults are most commonly found on the antennal bases and among the maxillipeds, and cocoons on the last live abdominal sternites. No host specificity is evident although an unidentified Cambarus sp. from Sunfish Lake is free of commensals. Host incompatibility may explain this, but data from Laurel Creek indicate that silting of the microhabitat is responsible for loss of branchiobdellid population. The crayfish–branchiobdellid relationship is commensal, or at most facultatively parasitic, as adult worms can live without a host for extended periods. Serological testing of rabbit serum containing branchiobdellid antibodies against crayfish serum is negative. The dependence of the egg stage on the host for some undetermined factor or factors is discussed. An Asellus sp. fails to pick up the commensals even when exposed under ideal conditions for colonization.

Benthic Fauna Colonization of a New Reservoir with Particular Reference to the Chironomidae

1970 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Paterson ◽  
C. H. Fernando
Keyword(s):  
Dominant Species ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
Benthic Fauna ◽  
Partial Loss ◽  
Organic Debris ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Laurel Creek ◽  
Chironomid Fauna ◽  
New Reservoir

At the time of first filling of Laurel Creek Reservoir in the spring of 1967 the benthic fauna consisted of submerged terrestrial organisms and obligate and facultative rheophilic species. Two months after initial filling substantial populations of colonizing limnophilic species developed in the habitat whereas the terrestrial and obligate rheophilic components were lost. By the 4th month the fauna was dominated by euryoxybiontic limnophiles and by facultative species. In the period immediately prior to reservoir drainage in the autumn of 1967 the population densities of the euryoxybiontic chironomids declined whereas polyoxybiontic species continued to increase in abundance. These changes in the dominance hierarchy of the chironomid fauna were associated with the partial loss of the rich deposits of organic debris by siltation and decomposition. Survival of winter drainage of the reservoir by many limnophilic species produced an appreciably different pattern of colonization when the reservoir refilled in 1968. During the second summer of the reservoir's existence most euryoxybiontic chironomids further declined in abundance and were replaced by polyoxybiontic forms as the dominant species. The facultative species originally derived from the creek fauna are adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions and the modifications of the reservoir habitat with time had little effect on their abundance.

Some remarks on the occurrence and development of philometrid nematodes infecting the white sucker, Catostomus commersoni Lacépède (Pisces: Catostomidae), in Ontario

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-451
Author(s):  
K. Molnar ◽  
G. L. Chan ◽  
C. H. Fernando
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Abdominal Cavity ◽  
Swim Bladder ◽  
White Sucker ◽  
Catostomus Commersoni ◽  
Laurel Creek

During a study on the parasitofauna of white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) in Laurel Creek, Ontario, three philometrid nematodes were found. Gravid and subgravid females completing the life cycle occurred very infrequently (Philometroides huronensis: 4.3%, Philometroides nodulosa: 1.6%, Philometra kobuleji: 1.1%). In comparison, males and retarded females infected the eyeball and the peritoneum around the swim bladder very often (43.1 and 31.6% in total, respectively). Less frequently, developmental stages were found in the abdominal cavity. Specimens found in the eyeball were identified as belonging to P. nodulosa, while the swim bladder forms could belong to P. huronensis or to P. kobuleji. The eyeball and the peritoneum around the swim bladder are regarded as refuges for retarded forms, where they can survive for more than a year. No evidence was found of a direct cause of retardation.

Macroinvertebrate colonization of the marginal zone of a small impoundment in Eastern Canada

1969 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 1229-1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Paterson ◽  
C. H. Fernando
Keyword(s):  
Water Temperature ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Marginal Zone ◽  
Active Process ◽  
Summer Period ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Lotic Environment ◽  
Reservoir Basin ◽  
Laurel Creek ◽  
Macroinvertebrate Fauna

Colonization of the marginal macroinvertebrate fauna of Laurel Creek Reservoir was followed from the time of first filling in the spring of 1967 until the reservoir was drained in mid-October of the same year. Of the 55 taxa found during this period 34 (61.8%) were facultative species which had maintained populations in the lotic environment before impoundment. Colonization was an active process which accelerated as the water temperature increased. Passive colonization by species swept into the reservoir by flooding of the creek and the resultant rapid filling of the reservoir was negligible. For the first 3 months after subsequent filling in the spring of 1968 the marginal fauna was very similar to that of the previous year although colonization was more rapid as a result of overwintering of many limnophilic species in various refugia in the reservoir basin. Colonization of the marginal zone appeared to approach completion, with respect to the prevailing environmental conditions, during the first summer period of the reservoir's existence.

The effect of winter drainage on reservoir benthic fauna

1969 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. G. Paterson ◽  
C. H. Fernando
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Benthic Fauna ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Southern Ontario ◽  
Probability Of Survival ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Benthic Environment ◽  
Laurel Creek ◽  
Caddis Fly ◽  
Chironomid Fauna

Winter drainage of Laurel Creek Reservoir in southern Ontario exposed the benthic environment to atmospheric conditions for between 168 and 176 days. During the first 50 days, which had above-freezing temperatures, much of the fauna was destroyed. In the next 100 days the substrate became frozen to depths greater than 20 cm. Freezing of the substrate resulted in the loss of the oligochaetes, nematodes, and oribatoid mites as well as a large percentage of the chironomid fauna. Small numbers of the caddis fly, Agraylea multipunctata; the chironomid Cricotopus trifasciatus; and the molluscs Planorbula jenksii and Lymnaea palustris were found to survive the period of freezing and the subsequent short period of thawing before the refilling of the reservoir. Indirect evidence suggests the survival of small numbers of certain species of chironomids not found in the samples. Glyplotendipes barbipes showed the highest survival under the conditions of exposure, as the population immediately after refilling was between 12.5 and 46.4% of that found before drainage of the reservoir. The fauna did not actively move deeper into the substrate as freezing progressed although the probability of survival was greater at the deeper levels. A. multipunctata, C. trifasciatus, and G. barbipes have been found able to pupate and emerge after survival in the exposed substrate.

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