On the relationship between vertical microdistribution and adaptations to oxygen stress in littoral Chironomidae (Diptera)

Abstract

Animals that dwell at different depths in the sediment, are adapted to different respiratory environments . It is possible that animals that occur deep in the sediment have a higher hemoglobin concentration than surfacedwelling animals . To test this hypothesis, hemoglobin concentrations and weights of eight chironomid species that dwell in the littoral zone were measured . High hemoglobin concentration and weight both seemed to contribute to an ability to cope with low oxygen concentrations, and determined the vertical distribution of chironomids in the sediment. A multiple regression equation, including these factors, was derived . It may be used to predict the median depth of occurrence for species that were not included in this study . High sensitivity of small animals to oxygen stress is discussed from a theoretical point of view . 61

Consequences of dam construction upstream of the Upper Paraná River floodplain (Brazil): a temporal analysis of the Chironomidae community over an eight-year period

“…Polypedilum was the dominant genus in both environments. This can be explained by the fact that this group is cosmopolitan, opportunistic and relatively resistant to adverse conditions (Panis et al, 1996).…”

Ecological assessment of a southeastern Brazil reservoir

“…Tanytarsus (van der Wulp 1984) was the most abundant genus, with a broad distribution in all regions of the reservoir. Because this genus has low blood hemoglobin concentration (Panis et al 1996), it indicates environments with good water quality. Ligeiro et al (2013) indicated that the IDI is a good descriptor of disturbances at different spatial scales.…”

Accumulation and effects of cyanobacterial microcystins and anatoxin-a on benthic larvae of Chironomus spp. (Diptera: Chironomidae)

“…The larvae used in this study could belong to different species. For example, in lakes and fish-ponds C. plumosus (L.) is the most abundant (Matěna, 1995, Panis et al, 1996 while in polluted rivers C. riparius Meigen is abundant (Groenendijk et al, 1998). Larval survival decreased when the cyanotoxin concentrations were much higher than those recorded in the lake.…”