Microhabitat type selection of caddisfly larvae (Insecta: Trichoptera) in a shallow lowland stream

Abstract

The relationship between caddisfly assemblage structure and four selected environmental variables (substrate, water depth, flow type and amount of the coarse particulate organic matter) was investigated in a Slovenian lowland stream. Caddisflies were sampled at four stream reaches according to selected microhabitat types. All together, 168 quantitative samples were taken at 21 sampling points between October 1998 and July 1999. Of 48 collected species, 30 were included in the analysis. Significant correlation was observed between species and environmental variables. As a complement to a CCA biplot representation, species assemblages within the community were also determined using cluster analysis. Nine groups and subgroups were established. Most caddisfly species prefer coarse substrate in shallow water (5-10 cm) with chute water flow, whereas few species were found on fine substrate in deep water. A significant positive correlation was found between mean substrate size and total number of species, and between indices of species richness and diversity, whereas depth did not show any correlation with these parameters. Seven species were found mostly in marginal habitats, whereas four (Potamophylax rotundipennis, Anabolia furcata, Athripsodes bilineatus and Lithax obscurus) did not show any strong preferences for selected parameters. In addition, habitat preferences were associated with the feeding types of the caddis larvae.

Influence of morphohydraulic habitat structure on invertebrate communities (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera)

“…Depth seemed to have only minimal effect on distribution of invertebrates. Similarly, Urbanič et al (2005) did not find any relationship between the depth and species richness and diversity. But Rempel et al (2000) stated that depth was an important factor playing role in determining the hydraulic environment in large gravelbed, but the range of depths was relatively greater (up to 3.0 m) comparing with the Drietomica reaches (up to 60 cm).…”

“…Also other biological studies dealing with the relationship between the macroinvertebrate distribution and hydraulic parameters support this idea (e.g. Quinn et al 1996;Brooks et al 2005;Mérigoux & Dolédec 2004;Rempel et al 2000;Urbanič et al 2005).…”

Temporal effects of enhanced fine sediment loading on macroinvertebrate community structure and functional traits

“…In addition, some taxa may be excluded and 75 unable to colonise habitats where excessive fine sediment is present, for example 76 due to the absence of suitable materials for case building by caddisfly larvae (Higler,77 1975; Urbanič et al, 2005). Some functional feeding groups may also be 78 disadvantaged by enhanced fine sediment loading, due to reduced food quality or 79 impaired access to food resources, notably for algal scrapers and filter feeders 80 (Rabeni et al, 2005;Kreutzweiser et al, 2005).…”

Hydromorphology and Biodiversity in Headwaters — An Eco- Faunistic Substrate Preference Assessment in Forest Springs of the German Subdued Mountains

“…cold stenothermic, oligotrophic, mostly low flow velocity) and their small sized ecotone characteristics. However, the bottom substrate in fluvial ecosystems like brooks and rivers is often one of the most significant factors affecting the species composition of the benthic fauna in the substratum [21][22][23][24][25][26]. Some studies consider the mapping of substrate types in springs for a hydromorphological based water typology [27][28][29], but without a given classification scheme and a method instruction for the assessment of substrate type coverage within a field survey.…”