AQUATIC INSECTS OF PEATLANDS AND MARSHES IN CANADA: SYNTHESIS OF INFORMATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF NEEDS FOR RESEARCH

1987 ◽  
Vol 119 (S140) ◽  
pp. 163-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.V. Danks ◽  
David M. Rosenberg

AbstractAvailable information on the insect fauna of freshwater bogs, fens, and marshes is reviewed. These habitats are extensive and important in Canada. The fauna of marshes is diverse, and appears to consist chiefly of generally distributed lentic species. The fauna of bogs has some specialized elements, but most bog species are generalists. The fauna of Canadian fens is little known, but from limited data for a few groups appears to be moderately rich. Features expected in generalist and specialist species from peatlands and marshes are summarized, and the possible roles of insects in these ecosystems are outlined. Particular needs for future research include the following: careful definition of different kinds of wetland habitats; meticulous sampling of defined habitats to distinguish residents from incidental visitors; and detailed study of the life histories and habits of individual species. Further sampling, and studies of larvae, undoubtedly will increase the numbers of insects known from Canadian peatlands and marshes. About 4000 aquatic insect species are known from Canada. So far only 22% of the species in groups for which detailed information is available have been reported to occur in marshes, and only half as many in peatlands, even though some of the recorded species probably do not breed in all of the habitats from which they have been collected.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Hotaling ◽  
Joanna L. Kelley ◽  
Paul B. Frandsen

AbstractAquatic insects comprise 10% of all insect diversity, can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and are key components of freshwater ecosystems. Yet aquatic insect genome biology lags dramatically behind that of terrestrial insects. If genomic effort was spread evenly, one aquatic insect genome would be sequenced for every ∼9 terrestrial insect genomes. Instead, ∼24 terrestrial insect genomes have been sequenced for every aquatic insect genome. This discrepancy is even more dramatic if the quality of genomic resources is considered; for instance, while no aquatic insect genome has been assembled to the chromosome level, 29 terrestrial insect genomes spanning four orders have. We argue that a lack of aquatic insect genomes is not due to any underlying difficulty (e.g., small body sizes or unusually large genomes) yet it is severely hampering aquatic insect research at both fundamental and applied scales. By expanding the availability of aquatic insect genomes, we will gain key insight into insect diversification and empower future research for a globally important taxonomic group.Simple SummaryAquatic insects comprise 10% of all insect diversity, can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and are key components of freshwater ecosystems. Yet aquatic insect genome biology lags dramatically behind that of terrestrial insects. If genomic effort was spread evenly, one aquatic insect genome would be sequenced for every ∼9 terrestrial insect genomes. Instead, ∼24 terrestrial insect genomes have been sequenced for every aquatic insect genome. We argue that the limited availability of aquatic insect genomes is not due to practical limitations—e.g., small body sizes or overly complex genomes—but instead reflects a lack of research interest. We call for targeted efforts to expand the availability of aquatic insect genomic resources to gain key molecular insight into insect diversification and empower future research.


1987 ◽  
Vol 119 (S140) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Rosenberg ◽  
H.V. Danks

AbstractIn general, the aquatic insects of freshwater wetlands have been inadequately studied despite their apparent importance in wetland habitats, especially in energy and nutrient transfer. The Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods) recognized the deficiencies in knowledge of taxonomy and ecology of insect species in wetland habitats and sponsored a "Conference on the aquatic insects of peatlands and marshes" in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, on 3 October, 1984. The Conference summarized current knowledge on the systematics and ecology of aquatic insects of Canadian peatlands and marshes, the wetland habitats chosen for emphasis, and sought to identify needs for research on the structure and dynamics of aquatic insect faunas in these habitats. The proceedings of the Conference are published here. The first two papers provide background information on the habitats under consideration and the interactions among invertebrates and vertebrates in these habitats. A second group of papers considers features of the Hydracarina, Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Hemiptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera in peatlands and marshes. A final paper summarizes data on the occurrence of aquatic insects in bogs, fens, and marshes, addresses broader questions related to the nature of the insect fauna, and identifies needs for further research. By making accessible systematic and ecological information on aquatic insects of Canadian peatlands and marshes, the proceedings should support and encourage further work in these habitats.


Zoosymposia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-213
Author(s):  
KIMIO HIRABAYASHI ◽  
ERI IKUTAMA ◽  
KOUSAKU OHKAWA ◽  
RYOICHI ARAI ◽  
TAKAOMI NOMURA ◽  
...  

We focused on the relative number of flying adult caddisflies on the river surface captured by sticky board traps with the aim of elucidating differences in the distribution pattern of caddisfly larvae along the slope in the middle reaches of the Shinano River. The individual number of adult caddisflies caught increased from April and decreased from October. Even in the same middle reaches of a river, there was a large difference geographically in the species captured. Hydroptila sp. was caught mainly downstream of the Taishyobashi Bridge, Psychomyia acutipennis (Ulmer 1908) in the vicinity of the Taishyobashi Bridge, and Stenopsyche marmorata Navás 1920 upstream of the Awasabashi Bridge. It is known that the slope of the Shinano River bed suddenly becomes less and the flow rate slower in the area from the Taishyobashi Bridge to the Awasabashi Bridge, and it was shown that the species composition and number of aquatic insects caught changes with the change in the slope of the river bed.


1987 ◽  
Vol 119 (140) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
David M. Rosenberg ◽  
H.V. Danks

In general, the aquatic insects of freshwater wetlands have been inadequately studied despite their apparent importance in wetland habitats, especially in energy and nutrient transfer. The Biological Survey of Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods) recognized the deficiencies in knowledge of taxonomy and ecology of insect species in wetland habitats and sponsored a "Conference on the aquatic insects of peatlands and marshes" in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, on 3 October, 1984. The Conference summarized current knowledge on the systematics and ecology of aquatic insects of Canadian peatlands and marshes, the wetland habitats chosen for emphasis, and sought to identify needs for research on the structure and dynamics of aquatic insect faunas in these habitats. The proceedings of the Conference are published here. The first two papers provide background information on the habitats under consideration and the interactions among invertebrates and vertebrates in these habitats. A second group of papers considers features of the Hydracarina, Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Hemiptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera in peatlands and marshes. A final paper summarizes data on the occurrence of aquatic insects in bogs, fens, and marshes, addresses broader questions related to the nature of the insect fauna, and identifies needs for further research. By making accessible systematic and ecological information on aquatic insects of Canadian peatlands and marshes, the proceedings should support and encourage further work in these habitats.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella D’Ambra ◽  
Chiara Lauritano

Cnidarians have been known since ancient times for the painful stings they induce to humans. The effects of the stings range from skin irritation to cardiotoxicity and can result in death of human beings. The noxious effects of cnidarian venoms have stimulated the definition of their composition and their activity. Despite this interest, only a limited number of compounds extracted from cnidarian venoms have been identified and defined in detail. Venoms extracted from Anthozoa are likely the most studied, while venoms from Cubozoa attract research interests due to their lethal effects on humans. The investigation of cnidarian venoms has benefited in very recent times by the application of omics approaches. In this review, we propose an updated synopsis of the toxins identified in the venoms of the main classes of Cnidaria (Hydrozoa, Scyphozoa, Cubozoa, Staurozoa and Anthozoa). We have attempted to consider most of the available information, including a summary of the most recent results from omics and biotechnological studies, with the aim to define the state of the art in the field and provide a background for future research.


Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Hotaling ◽  
Joanna L. Kelley ◽  
Paul B. Frandsen

Aquatic insects comprise 10% of all insect diversity, can be found on every continent except Antarctica, and are key components of freshwater ecosystems. However, aquatic insect genome biology lags dramatically behind that of terrestrial insects. If genomic effort was spread evenly, one aquatic insect genome would be sequenced for every ~9 terrestrial insect genomes. Instead, ~24 terrestrial insect genomes have been sequenced for every aquatic insect genome. This discrepancy is even more dramatic if the quality of genomic resources is considered; for instance, while no aquatic insect genome has been assembled to the chromosome level, 29 terrestrial insect genomes spanning four orders have. We argue that a lack of aquatic insect genomes is not due to any underlying difficulty (e.g., small body sizes or unusually large genomes), yet it is severely hampering aquatic insect research at both fundamental and applied scales. By expanding the availability of aquatic insect genomes, we will gain key insight into insect diversification and empower future research for a globally important taxonomic group.


2010 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana M. Chará-Serna ◽  
Julián D. Chará ◽  
María Del Carmen Zúñiga ◽  
Gloria X. Pedraza ◽  
Lina P. Giraldo

<p><strong>Objective. </strong>To determine the trophic structure of an aquatic insect assembly associated to eight streams in the Colombian coffee-growing ecoregion. <strong>Materials and methods. </strong>Aquatic insects were collected in eight forested streams located in La Vieja river basin. The taxa collected were assigned to dietary groups according to a regional classification based on the gut content analysis of aquatic insects associated to forested streams of the Otún river basin. <strong>Results. </strong>2019 individuals belonging to 73 taxa were collected and 60 were classified into dietary groups. The most abundant group was collectors (55%), followed by shredders (31%) and predators (10%). Scrapers represented only 0.05% of the sample and the remaining 3.95% could not be classified due to lack of information. <strong>Conclusions. </strong>The dominance of collectors and shredders reveals the importance of coarse particulate organic matter (leaf litter) as a food resource for the insect fauna. Similarities between the trophic structure of this community and other communities studied in similar streams, suggest the possibility of a common pattern for Andean streams. This study evidenced the absence of knowledge on trophic ecology of tropical aquatic insects; 50% of the taxa collected had no associated information for the tropics and 20% had no information neither for the tropics nor temperate zones.</p> <p><strong>Key words</strong>: Andean streams, aquatic insects, dietary groups, trophic structure, tropical ecosystems.</p><br />


2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Lucia Henriques-Oliveira ◽  
Jorge Luiz Nessimian

Aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity and composition in streams along an altitudinal gradient in Southeastern Brazil. A study concerning taxonomic richness and composition of the aquatic insect fauna in streams within the same catchment basin along an altitudinal gradient in Southeast Brazil, was conducted to test the hypothesis that there is a faunal discontinuity in the biocenotic composition, related to differences in altitude and latitude. In Southeastern Brazil, around latitude 22°, this faunal transition from rhithron to potamon biocenosis should occur at 500 m above sea level. Eighteen tributaries of the Mambucaba River, at Serra da Bocaina National Park, SP-RJ, Brazil, were studied. The streams were separated into 6 altitudinal zones (zone 1: above 1500 m; zone 2: 1200-1300 m; zone 3: 900-1000 m; zone 4: 400-700 m; zone 5: 100-300 m; and zone 6: 0-100 m) each including three streams. The aquatic insects were identified at the lowest possible taxonomic level. The highest richness was observed in altitudes between 1200-1300 m, while the lowest occurred in altitudes below 100 m. The Indicator Value method indicated taxa characteristic for four of the six altitudinal zones considered in this paper. Sorensen's Index and CCA results showed that distribution and composition of aquatic insect fauna of Serra da Bocaina National Park was influenced primarily by altitude and temperature rather than stream size. The absence of indicator species and the lower abundance in altitudes between 400-700 m suggest a transition from rhithral to potamal fauna, which is distinct at 200 m.


Author(s):  
Nam Ngo Xuan

Three investigations into species composition in aquatic insects in Ngoc Linh Special-use Forest in Quang Nam (March, September, 2015 and March, 2016). At 15 sampling sites in selected waterbodies, aquatic insects were sampled quantitatively by Surber net and qualitatively by hand net. The study has showed a total of 86 species, belonging to 69 genera, 40 families, 8 orders of aquatic insects: 24 Odonata species, 21 Ephemeroptera species, 13 Tricoptera species, 11 Hemiptera species, 7 Plecoptera species, 6 Coleoptera species, 3 Diptera spieces and 1 Megaloptera species. The three orders, Odonata, Ephemeroptera, Tricoptera, predominated (67,45%) the aquatic insect fauna in terms of species richness. This study has provided the data of aquatic insects in this area


2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-104
Author(s):  
Carlos Antonio Bispo ◽  
Anete Pedro Lourenço ◽  
André Rinaldo Senna Garraffoni

Human activity often has a negative effect on stream quality and the biodiversity of aquatic fauna. The present study investigated the distribution patterns of aquatic insect populations in the Sentinela stream in Biribiri State Park, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and we correlated the patterns to possible impacts caused by tourists. We sampled the aquatic insect population few days before and few days after the holidays and monthly during the year. Fifteen groups of samples were taken from January through December 2011 at four different sites. For each site, three sub-samples were taken by drifting the entomological net and disturbing the substrate using the kick method. 3601 individuals were collected, and 8 orders and 41 families were identified. Environmental indices showed excellent water quality for sites 1 and 2, which are minimally affected by tourism and average water quality for sites 3 and 4, which are highly impacted by tourism. Three of the four holiday periods analyzed showed a significant decrease in insect abundance after the holiday. The richness and diversity of the aquatic insect fauna did not show seasonal fluctuations, despite differences in stream flow velocity during the dry and rainy periods. Our results indicated that the disturbances caused by tourism affect directly the diversity and abundance of aquatic insects in the Sentinela stream. In addition, these insects were suitable for the evaluation of human impacts caused by tourism in the conservation of freshwater ecosystem.O Turismo Impacta os Insetos Aquáticos em um Riacho de Alta Altitude?Resumo. A atividade humana tem afetado negativamente a qualidade dos ambientes lóticos e a biodiversidade da fauna aquática. O presente estudo investigou os padrões de distribuição das populações de insetos aquáticos no córrego Sentinela no Parque Estadual do Biribiri, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brasil, e correlacionou esses padrões com possíveis impactos causados pelas atividades do turismo. As populações de insetos aquáticos foram amostradas alguns dias antes e alguns dias após dos feriados e mensalmente durante o ano, totalizando quinze amostras entre os meses de janeiro e dezembro de 2011 em quatro locais diferentes. Para cada local, foram realizadas três sub-amostras com a ajuda de rede entomológica e o substrato foi revolvido com os pés. Foram coletados 3601 indivíduos, os quais foram identificados 8 ordens e 41 famílias. Por meio dos índices ambientais foi possível observar que os pontos 1 e 2 possuem excelente qualidade da água e são minimamente afetados pelo turismo, por outro lado os pontos 3 e 4 possuem uma qualidade de água intermediária e são altamente impactados pelo turismo. Três dos quatro feriados estudados mostraram uma diminuição significativa na abundância de insetos após o feriado. A riqueza e a diversidade da fauna de insetos aquáticos não mostraram flutuações sazonais, apesar da ocorrência de diferentes velocidades de vazão durante os períodos seco e chuvoso. Nossos resultados indicaram que os distúrbios causados pelo turismo afetam diretamente na diversidade e abundância dos insetos aquáticos no córrego Sentinela. Além disso, esses insetos se mostraram adequados para a avaliação de impactos antropogênicos causados pelo turismo na conservação de ecossistemas lóticos.


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