Gardening by the psychomyiid caddisfly Tinodes waeneri: evidence from stable isotopes

Ings, Nicola L.; Hildrew, Alan G.; Grey, Jonathan

doi:10.1007/s00442-009-1558-8

Cited by 22 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Small-scale nutrient inputs via differential N or P excretion by invertebrates can lead to changes in periphyton N ∶ P and to patches of N-or P-rich periphyton in an otherwise N-or P-poor periphyton mat (Pringle et al 1988, Hillebrand et al 2004, Evans-White and Lamberti 2006, Ings et al 2010. Most research on consumer-driven nutrient recycling (CNR) by aquatic invertebrates has focused on mobile grazers (but see Ings et al 2010). However, sessile invertebrates or portable-cased grazers, such as caddisflies, often excrete their waste repeatedly at the same location and could cause stronger spatial patchiness in periphyton nutrient ratios than mobile grazers do (Ings et al 2010(Ings et al , 2012.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…The nutrient composition of periphyton is flexible and can be altered by benthic consumers through consumption of organic nutrients and excretion of inorganic nutrients (Frost et al 2002, Hillebrand et al 2002, 2008, Liess and Hillebrand 2006. Small-scale nutrient inputs via differential N or P excretion by invertebrates can lead to changes in periphyton N ∶ P and to patches of N-or P-rich periphyton in an otherwise N-or P-poor periphyton mat (Pringle et al 1988, Hillebrand et al 2004, Evans-White and Lamberti 2006, Ings et al 2010. Most research on consumer-driven nutrient recycling (CNR) by aquatic invertebrates has focused on mobile grazers (but see Ings et al 2010).…”

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Nutrient recycling by caddisflies alleviates phosphorus limitation in case periphyton

2014

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Selective feeding and differential nutrient excretion by aquatic invertebrates plays a substantial role in nutrient recycling. Grazing larvae of the caddisfly Glossosoma intermedium construct a portable case for protection that also serves as a good substrate for periphyton colonization because it is constantly fertilized by larval excreta. We tested whether case periphyton was nutrient enriched compared to streambed periphyton and whether selective feeding by caddisfly larvae on case periphyton facilitates P remineralization. We measured total N, total P, and N ∶ P in stream water and streambed cobble periphyton in 3 western Wisconsin streams. We collected larvae and measured N and P content and N ∶ P of case periphyton, G. intermedium body, and G. intermedium excretion products. Cobble periphyton N ∶ P at 2 streams suggested P limitation (368 ± 109 and 50 ± 10), but case periphyton N ∶ P at those streams did not (11 ± 3 and 11 ± 0.8, respectively). Neither cobble nor case periphyton N ∶ Ps suggested P limitation at the 3 rd stream. Measured excretion N ∶ P was more similar to the excretion N ∶ P predicted for caddisfly grazing on case periphyton than for caddisfly grazing on cobble periphyton. Our results suggest that larval excretion alleviated P limitation of case periphyton and that case periphyton may serve as an important dietary resource for the grazing caddisfly larvae. Feeding on this P-rich case periphyton promotes P remineralization in P-limited, lotic ecosystems.

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Nutrient recycling by caddisflies alleviates phosphorus limitation in case periphyton

2014

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“…Methane oxidation rates and abundance of MOB have been shown to be higher in chironomid tubes in flooded rice paddies than in the surrounding soil compartments (Kajan & Frenzel, 1999), but to the best of our knowledge this has not yet been shown directly for lake sediments even though there is every reason to expect it to be the case. In fact, chironomid larvae might be considered as 'constant gardeners' cultivating MOB food within their tubes, somewhat analogous to Tinodes waeneri caddisfly larvae gardening biofilms on their galleries (Ings, Hildrew & Grey, 2010).…”

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Biogenic methane in freshwater food webs

2010

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SUMMARY1. It has long been known that substantial amounts of methane are produced in anoxic lake sediments, and the components of the methane cycle in lakes have been well described. At oxic-anoxic interfaces, methane-oxidising bacteria (MOB) convert methane to microbial biomass and can be highly productive. However, only recently has methane been recognised as a potentially important carbon and energy source for lake food webs, and some instances have also been reported of methane contribution to river food webs. Stable isotope analysis (SIA) has provided compelling evidence in this respect and has been supplemented by other lines of evidence. 2. In the benthic food webs of lakes, profundal chironomid larvae appear to be the main conduits for trophic transfer of biogenic methane via grazing on MOB. The mode of feeding of these larvae and the microhabitats they generate both promote larval ability to exploit MOB production. Support to chironomid larvae from methane is rather widespread, but its degree is highly variable; estimates suggest that in some lakes methane-carbon might contribute more than 60% of chironomid carbon biomass. 3. Evidence of crustacean zooplankton in lakes deriving part of their carbon from methane is currently more limited. Reports from some lakes have indicated Daphnia with a substantial (>50%) contribution of methane-carbon in their biomass. However, for this to happen, an oxic-anoxic interface where sufficient MOB production can occur needs to be within the range of vertical migrations by zooplankton, which may only rarely be the case. Hence, a significant methane subsidy of pelagic food webs in lakes is probably much less widespread than for benthic food webs. 4. There is also recent and currently very limited evidence that some stream benthos derives biomass carbon (reported values up to 30%) from methane. This can occur in stagnant backwater pools where conditions can be analogous to those in lake sediments. However, groundwater aquifers can also supply water supersaturated with methane to some rivers, providing a basis for a microbially-mediated transfer of methane-carbon to river benthos. 5. Evidence for significant transfer of methane-derived carbon to higher trophic levels is still very limited. Within some lakes, those fish species that feed extensively on chironomid larvae can derive a substantial part (perhaps up to 20%) of their carbon biomass from methane. It is also likely that methane-carbon produced in lakes or rivers is exported to riparian ecosystems when emerging chironomids or other insects are eaten by invertebrate or avian predators. 6. We argue that conceptual models of freshwater food webs, and especially those for lakes, need to be modified to enable incorporation of biogenic methane as a carbon and energy source. For some types of lakes, carbon and energy budgets certainly need to take

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“…Trichoptera larvae had a similar trophic position but lower MMHg concentrations than Chironominae chironomids. These primary consumers may specialize on distinct types of benthic algae or detritus (Grey et al 2004;Ings et al 2010;Reuss et al 2013) that result in differential uptake of MMHg or variation in growth rate could play a role in bioaccumulation (Karimi et al 2007).…”

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Ecological determinants of methylmercury bioaccumulation in benthic invertebrates of polar desert lakes

et al. 2014

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We investigated concentrations of monomethylmercury (MMHg) at the base of benthic food webs in six lakes from polar desert (biologically poor and low annual precipitation) on Cornwallis Island (Nunavut, Canada, *75°N latitude). Anthropogenic mercury emissions reach the Arctic by long-range atmospheric transport, and information is lacking on processes controlling MMHg entry into these simple lake food webs, despite their importance in determining transfer to lake-dwelling Arctic char. We examined the influences of diet (using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes), water depth, and taxonomic composition on MMHg bioaccumulation in benthic invertebrates (Chironomidae and Trichoptera). We also estimated MMHg biomagnification between benthic algae and invertebrates. Similar MMHg concentrations of chironomid larvae in nearshore and offshore zones suggest that benthic MMHg exposure was homogeneous within the lakes. Chironomid d 13 C values were also similar in both depth zones, suggesting that diet items with highly negative d 13 C, specifically methanogenic bacteria and planktonic organic matter, were not important food (and therefore mercury) sources for profundal larvae. MMHg concentrations were significantly different among two subfamilies of chironomids (Diamesinae, Chironominae) and Trichoptera. Higher MMHg concentrations in Diamesinae were likely related to predation on other chironomids. We found high MMHg biomagnification between benthic algae and chironomid larvae compared with literature estimates for aquatic ecosystems at lower latitudes; thus, benthic processes may affect the sensitivity of polar desert lakes to mercury. Information on benthic MMHg exposure is important for evaluating and tracking impacts of atmospheric mercury deposition and environmental change in this remote High Arctic environment.

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Gardening by the psychomyiid caddisfly Tinodes waeneri: evidence from stable isotopes

Cited by 22 publications

References 54 publications

Nutrient recycling by caddisflies alleviates phosphorus limitation in case periphyton

Nutrient recycling by caddisflies alleviates phosphorus limitation in case periphyton

Biogenic methane in freshwater food webs

Ecological determinants of methylmercury bioaccumulation in benthic invertebrates of polar desert lakes

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