TY - JOUR
T1 - Living Apart Together
T2 - On the Biology of two Sympatric Leuctra Species (Plecoptera, Leuctridae) in an Apenninic Stream, Italy
AU - López-Rodríguez, Manuel Jesús
AU - Tierno de Figueroa, José Manuel
AU - Bo, Tiziano
AU - Mogni, Alessandro
AU - Fenoglio, Stefano
PY - 2012/5
Y1 - 2012/5
N2 - Leuctridae is the richest stonefly family on the European continent, with many species of Leuctra often coexisting in sympatry in the same lotic environment. In this work we studied the life cycle and feeding habits of two species, Leuctra fusca and L. hippopus, coexisting in a small Italian Apennine stream. The life cycles of the two species are non-overlapping, i.e., periods of nymphal growth and adult emergence are separated. Nymphs of both species feed mainly on detritus, but quantities of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) and diatoms are also ingested. Larger nymphs of both species ingest more CPOM and fewer diatoms. This suggests a similar trophic behaviour through their development. For example, they act as collector-gatherers in their earlier instars and as collector-gatherers or as shredders in their later instars.
AB - Leuctridae is the richest stonefly family on the European continent, with many species of Leuctra often coexisting in sympatry in the same lotic environment. In this work we studied the life cycle and feeding habits of two species, Leuctra fusca and L. hippopus, coexisting in a small Italian Apennine stream. The life cycles of the two species are non-overlapping, i.e., periods of nymphal growth and adult emergence are separated. Nymphs of both species feed mainly on detritus, but quantities of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) and diatoms are also ingested. Larger nymphs of both species ingest more CPOM and fewer diatoms. This suggests a similar trophic behaviour through their development. For example, they act as collector-gatherers in their earlier instars and as collector-gatherers or as shredders in their later instars.
KW - Feeding habits
KW - Leuctra fusca
KW - Leuctra hippopus
KW - Life cycle
KW - Stoneflies
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84860318176&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/iroh.201111413
DO - 10.1002/iroh.201111413
M3 - Article
SN - 1434-2944
VL - 97
SP - 117
EP - 123
JO - International Review of Hydrobiology
JF - International Review of Hydrobiology
IS - 2
ER -