Morphological deformations of hard-chitinized mouthpart structures in larvae of the genus Chironomus (Diptera, Chironomidae) as the index of organic pollution in freshwater ecosystems

Abstract

Deformations of hard-chitinized mouthpart structures (mentum and mandibles) in larvae of the genus Chironomus affected by organic pollution have been studied. A system for the quantitative assessment of these structures has been developed. Indices for the severity of mental and mandibular deformation have been calculated. They allow one to determine the pollution of freshwater ecosystems by toxic organic substances.