Relationships between size of stream insects and current velocity

1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
William P. Kovalak

Size frequency distributions and dry weight – head width relationships for six insect species from two habitats with differing current velocities in the Pigeon River, Michigan, were compared. Early in their growth cycles, Ephemerella subvaria, Ephemerella lata, Rhithrogena jejuna, and Glossosoma nigrior generally were larger at the slow station, but near the end of the growth cycles they generally were larger at the fast station. For Paraleptophlebia mollis, early in the growth cycle size differences between stations were small but near the end of the growth cycles nymphs were larger at the fast station, whereas nymphs of Ephemerella deficiens were slightly larger at the slow station throughout the growth cycle. Larger size at the slow station probably was due to differential growth whereas larger size at the fast station probably was due to differential habitat selection controlled by oxygen requirements.There were no significant differences in dry weight – head width relationships between habitats or between sexes. Sex ratios generally were similar at the two stations and did not deviate appreciably from 50:50.The life history of each species is briefly described.

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Jackson

Mahogany gliders, Petaurus gracilis, and sugar gliders, Petaurus breviceps, were trapped in an area of open woodland in north Queensland between 1994 and 1996 to examine their population ecology and life history. This study area contained two smaller areas, one consisting of continuous habitat and the other an area of fragmented habitat adjacent to the continuous habitat. Within the continuous area, the mahogany glider had an average density of 0.24 ha–1 whereas the sugar glider had an average density of 0.27 ha–1. In contrast, the density of mahogany gliders in the fragmented habitat averaged only 0.16 ha–1 whereas the density of sugar gliders was higher, at 0.46 ha–1. Both the mahogany glider and the sugar glider showed sexual dimorphism in their weight, head length and head width. The average body weight of both species fluctuated throughout the year with no consistent pattern. The mahogany glider showed a distinct breeding season, with births being recorded between April and October, whereas the sugar glider showed no pattern, with births being recorded during all months except February and April. During the study, all adult females of both species were observed to have bred, with an average litter size of 1.55 and a natality rate of 2.09 for the mahogany glider, and an average litter size of 1.83 and a natality rate of 2.14 for the sugar glider. The sugar glider was able to raise two litters of young within a single year whereas a second litter was raised by the mahogany glider only if the first litter was lost.


2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Utzeri ◽  
Claudio Angelini ◽  
Damiano Antonelli

Abstract We studied nine populations of Salamandrina perspicillata for two to nine years and described the life history variation among these population. Despite experiencing similar climatic conditions, populations differed in mean body size: populations using still water bodies for oviposition were larger body-sized than those using brooks. One semi-natural pond was used by particularly small individuals and was probably recently colonised. The mean body size of ovipositing females varied from year to year. Measurements of individuals in successive years showed that the tail grew more than the trunk and this differential growth increased with age. Females did not oviposit every year and, within a given population, the number of ovipositing females varied widely from year to year.


1977 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham R. Daborn

The life history of B. mackini was studied in a large argillotrophic lake during 1970–1972. Hatching began immediately after spring thaw and was terminated by rising salinity 10 days to 2 weeks later. Growth rates reached maxima of 1 mm/day at 4 weeks of age and then declined as mean size approached 22–23 mm at 7–8 weeks. Clutch sizes varied as a function of female length. Maximum biomass of 580 mg dry weight/m2 (2700 cal/m2) was reached in late May, of which 3.9% per day was consumed by B. gigas. Source of the energy is presumed to be a bacteria – organic matter complex associated with suspended particles. Life cycle details are compared with other fairy shrimp species and the role of B. mackini in the community is discussed.


1974 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. F. Carpenter ◽  
E. L. Mansey ◽  
N. H. F. Watson

In sampling on lakes Ontario, Erie, and Superior during three cruises from spring to fall, and on Lake Huron during eight cruises, Mysis relicta was generally not taken or not abundant in waters less than 25 m in depth. Its abundance appeared to increase with depth at least up to 200 m. Populations appeared to be concentrated in waters 125–200 m deep during summer and more dispersed during spring and fall. Highest numbers were found in Lake Superior, followed by lakes Ontario and Huron. A small localized population was found in the deep eastern part of Lake Erie.Size-frequency distributions from the various cruises on lakes Superior, Huron, and Ontario indicated differences in life cycles of the mysid in the three lakes. In Lake Superior there was one major period of recruitment, from February to July, and the generation time appeared to be 2 yr. In lakes Huron and Ontario recruitment appeared to occur from February to August and to be separated into a winter and a summer period; each of the generations appeared to mature in 18 mo.


1993 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 841-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald W. Davies ◽  
V. Kalarani

The effects of overwintering stresses (low temperature, low oxygen concentration) on the life history patterns of activity-specific oxygen consumption by Nephelopsis obscura were determined using a flow-through respirometer system and compared with leeches hatched and maintained under summer conditions. While resting and active oxygen consumption increased with body dry weight, weight-specific resting (Rm) and active (Ra) oxygen consumption and aerobic scope (AS) decreased with increase in body weight in both winter and summer N. obscura. Rm in winter leeches was higher than in summer leeches, probably reflecting the higher metabolic costs of tissue repair and maintenance after winter stresses. Although Ra and AS in winter leeches were initially lower than in summer leeches, by stage 4, compensation in winter leeches was complete and by stage 6, over-compensation occurred. The effects of overwintering on oxygen consumption and AS persisted throughout the life history and help explain some of the differences in allocation of energy storage observed in winter and summer leeches.


1990 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
S H Lee ◽  
J Y Chai ◽  
S T Hong ◽  
W M Sohn
Keyword(s):  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document