Incorporation of Freshwater Rhodophyta Into the Cases of Chironomid Larvae (chironomidae, Diptera) from North AMERICA1
Abstract
Chironomid larvae incorporate pieces of freshwater red algae into their cases from a wide geographic range in North America, extending from southern Canada to central Mexico. The Rhodophyta used in this process represent two orders (Acrochaetiales and Batrachospermales), five genera(Audouinella, Batrachospermum, Lemanea, Paralemanea, andSirodotia), and 14 species from 21 locations. Three genera from the chironomid subfamily Orthocladiinae make these cases: Cardiocladius, Eukiefferiella, andOrthocladius.TheEukiefferiella claripennisgroup was the most frequently observed infrageneric taxon using red algae in its cases. The cases were tubular in shape with longitudinally oriented strips of algae held together by silken threads. Some of the cases constructed withBatrachospermumandSirodotiaalso had several lateral branches of the alga radiating from the tube.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Phycology
- Pub Date:
- December 1996
- DOI:
- 10.1111/j.0022-3646.1996.00949.x
- Bibcode:
- 1996JPcgy..32..949S