Rearing methods and life cycle characteristics of Chironomus sp. Florida (Chironomidae: Diptera): A rapid-developing species for laboratory studies

Abstract

The species Chironomus sp. “Florida” has several qualities that make it a potential aquatic laboratory model to be used in Puerto Rico. Its use as such, however, requires a rearing protocol and life cycle description not previously reported. The present study addresses this lack of information by first describing a rearing method obtained through three years of observations. Next we describe and discuss the life cycle and the effects of temperature and feeding on development. The species has a short life cycle (typically 11 days) and larval stages easily identified using body measurements. Temperature affects the duration of the life cycle, with warm temperatures producing faster development than cold temperatures. The effects of different food concentrations vary: in large water volumes, concentrations of 2 mg/larva/day produce faster developmental times, but at low water volumes, small food concentrations of 0.5 mg/larva/day produce faster developmental times. The rearing protocol and life cycle parameters presented in this study are intended to promote the use of this species as a laboratory model. The fast development of Chironomus sp. “Florida” makes it ideal for toxicological studies.

Rapid growth in a large Cambrian apex predator

“…If the ratios between means of distributions recovered by EM are treated as growth ratios, A. symbrachiata has one of the highest maximum growth ratios when compared to euarthropod growth ratios identified from the literature. Only three literature values have higher proportional size increases of more than 4.0: chironomid Chironomus (5.74 for whole body length [ 32 ]), coenagrionid Ischnura cruzi (4.62 for forewing–pad length [ 33 ]) and lycaenid Maculinea arion (4.6 for whole body length [ 34 ]). The vast majority of growth ratios for various euarthropod body parts and the entire body length are between 1.0 and 2.0.…”

Assessing the Efficacy of Coagulation (Al3+) and Chlorination in Water Treatment Plant Processes: Inactivating Chironomid Larvae for Improved Tap Water Quality

“…Before the experiment, each larvae stage was selected manually using the plastic pasteur pipettes and placed in the beaker (Figure 1). Since the larvae growth is longer under resourcelimited conditions, there was no change in the larval stage development at 3-5 days of the experiment [9,10].…”

“…Larvae growth can be identified by observing the morphology related to body length and head width. The average development time of larvae stage with sufficient food supply is approximately 11 days with a minimum and maximum of 8 and 14 days, respectively (Table 1) [9]. Before the experiment, each larvae stage was selected manually using the plastic pasteur pipettes and placed in the beaker (Figure 1).…”

Comprehensive Solutions to Prevent Larvae Breakout in Water Filtration Systems

“…Prior to conducting the experiment, each larvae stage was manually selected using plastic Pasteur pipettes and placed in separate beakers. It should be noted that under resource-limited conditions, such as scarcity of food, the growth of larvae may be prolonged, and there may be no significant changes in the larval stage development within the first 3 to 5 days of the experiment [2,23].…”

“…They thrive in various aquatic environments with abundant phytoplankton and zooplankton [1]. Their life cycle comprises four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult, with four larval instars before adulthood [2]. Invertebrates in drinking water systems have been a historical concern, with attention drawn since 1827 due to health risks [3][4][5].…”