Abstract
The chemical composition of algal assemblages in laboratory streams was determined 3 and 27 d after adding snail (Juga silicula) and larval caddisfly (Dicosmoecus gilvipes) grazers. Three days after the herbivores were introduced (day 8 of algal growth), the fatty acid and amino acid profiles among algal assemblages were similar. Substantial differences were noted after 4 wk (day 32 of algal growth), however, especially with respect to the 16:0, 16:1, 16:3, 18:3, and 20:5 fatty acids. On day 32, algal assemblages subjected to zero or 125 snails/stream (66/m<sup>2</sup>) had higher levels of glycine, leucine, isoleucine, tyrosine, and the 16:3 and 18:3 fatty acids than assemblages exposed to 500 snails/stream (250/m<sup>2</sup>), 50 caddis/stream (25/m<sup>2</sup>), or 200 caddis/stream (100/m<sup>2</sup>). On the other hand, assemblages subjected to high grazing pressure (i.e., 500 snails/stream, 50 and 200 caddis/stream) had higher levels of alanine, glutamic acid/glutamine, and the 16:0, 16:1, and 20:5 fatty acids than algae exposed to zero or 125 snails/stream. These data provide detailed information on the food quality of lotic algae and may serve as a starting point for future research in this field.
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