hide
Free keywords:
Chironomidae; microdistribution; moss; stream; Diamesa
Abstract:
The chironomid coenosis associated with Platyhypnidium, a genus of lotic moss, is described for the uppermost 1 km of a small stream in Central Germany. Diamesa and Eukiefferiella dominated, with at least 8 species among the 6 common genera. No predacious midges were found in the moss. Measured over a period of 11 months, the mean chironomid abundance was more than twice as high near the source as in an area 1 km downstream; maxima of 530 larvae/10 cm² occured in July. The chironomid microdistribution within moss-cushions is described, and is assumed to be size-dependent for the larvae of Diamesa and Micropsectra.
