Temperature-dependent growth and life cycle of Deleatidium (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) in two high-country streams in New Zealand

Abstract

1. Measurements of larval growth rates were used to produce an empirical model for examining factors influencing patterns of size structure and emergence period for populations of the leptophlebiid mayfly Deleatidium (lillii group) in two high-country streams (South Island, New Zealand). Growth rates were measured in situ by enclosing groups of larvae and natural stream substrata in growth chambers. 2. Multiple regression analysis showed that temperature explained most variation among growth rates in both streams. Growth rates were also significantly related to larval size, although the effect was minor compared with temperature. A significant relationship between larval biomass per chamber and growth rate was shown at only one site. 3. Growth models based on multiple regression equations (R2 = 0.70–0.84) simulated the extended emergence period and complex size structure observed for populations of Deleatidium in the field. Larvae hatching from eggs deposited before mid-February (austral summer) probably emerge as adults before May (minimum cohort duration ≈ 3 months). Larvae hatching after mid-February probably do not emerge as adults until the following summer because of low growth rates during winter (maximum cohort duration ≈ 11 months). 4. On average, there are probably two generations of Deleatidium per year (bivoltine) at the study sites. The presence of numerous overlapping cohorts throughout summer, however, results in an extended emergence period and complex size structure.