Feeding Mechanisms of Chironomus Larvæ

Walshe, Barbara M.

doi:10.1038/160474a0

Cited by 89 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Detailed studies of the mesh of Chironomus plumosus nets revealed an effective pore size of 12 to 17 µm (Walshe 1947(Walshe , 1951, which is too large for bacteria. Thus, unless the pelagic MOB are associated with flocs, it is unlikely that such a source contributes substantially.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking larval chironomids to methane: seasonal variation of the microbial methane cycle and chironomid δ13C

Deines

Grey

Richnow³

et al. 2007

Aquat. Microb. Ecol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking larval chironomids to methane: seasonal variation of the microbial methane cycle and chironomid δ13C

Deines

Grey

Richnow³

et al. 2007

Aquat. Microb. Ecol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Many tube-dwelling chironomids pump water through their U-shaped burrows to obtain oxygen and planktonic food particles (Walshe 1947). Pumping periods are regularly interrupted by non-pumping periods.…”

Section: Filtration and Food Competition Between Pelagic Zooplankton mentioning

confidence: 99%

Tube‐dwelling invertebrates: tiny ecosystem engineers have large effects in lake ecosystems

Hölker

Vanni

Kuiper

et al. 2015

Ecological Monographs

136

118

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. There is ample evidence that tube-dwelling invertebrates such as chironomids significantly alter multiple important ecosystem functions, particularly in shallow lakes. Chironomids pump large water volumes, and associated suspended and dissolved substances, through the sediment and thereby compete with pelagic filter feeders for particulate organic matter. This can exert a high grazing pressure on phytoplankton, microorganisms, and perhaps small zooplankton and thus strengthen benthic-pelagic coupling. Furthermore, intermittent pumping by tube-dwelling invertebrates oxygenates sediments and creates a dynamic, three-dimensional mosaic of redox conditions. This shapes microbial community composition and spatial distribution, and alters microbe-mediated biogeochemical functions, which often depend on redox potential. As a result, extended hotspots of element cycling occur at the oxic-anoxic interfaces, controlling the fate of organic matter and nutrients as well as fluxes of nutrients between sediments and water. Surprisingly, the mechanisms and magnitude of interactions mediated by these organisms are still poorly understood. To provide a synthesis of the importance of tube-dwelling invertebrates, we review existing research and integrate previously disregarded functional traits into an ecosystem model. Based on existing research and our models, we conclude that tube-dwelling invertebrates play a central role in controlling water column nutrient pools, and hence water quality and trophic state. Furthermore, these tiny ecosystem engineers can influence the thresholds that determine shifts between alternate clear and turbid states of shallow lakes. The large effects stand in contrast to the conventional limnological paradigm emphasizing predominantly pelagic food webs. Given the vast number of shallow lakes worldwide, benthic invertebrates are likely to be relevant drivers of biogeochemical processes at regional and global scales, thereby mediating feedback mechanisms linked to climate change.

show abstract

“…In this study, the benthic invertebrate Chironomus tentans -a chironomid midge larva -was used as a test organism because of their widespread distribution and strong influence on the aquatic sediment environment through processes such as bioirrigation, bioturbation, sediment re-suspension, ingestion, digestion, excretion and secretion (Walshe, 1947;Aller and Aller, 1998). Because C. tentans constructs tubes from sediment particles, and ingests sediment particles, it is highly likely that these sediment feeders may accumulate high concentrations of contaminants in their bodies, including chemicals with nanoscale properties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of the effect of nanomaterials on sediment-dwelling invertebrate Chironomus tentans larvae

Oberholster

Musee

Botha

et al. 2011

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Feeding Mechanisms of Chironomus Larvæ

Cited by 89 publications

References 1 publication

Linking larval chironomids to methane: seasonal variation of the microbial methane cycle and chironomid δ13C

Linking larval chironomids to methane: seasonal variation of the microbial methane cycle and chironomid δ13C

Tube‐dwelling invertebrates: tiny ecosystem engineers have large effects in lake ecosystems

Assessment of the effect of nanomaterials on sediment-dwelling invertebrate Chironomus tentans larvae

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About