Mayfly Species Research Articles

Rotenone Toxicity to Rainbow Trout and Several Mountain Stream Insects

AbstractThe piscicide rotenone has been used for over 70 years to eradicate unwanted fish, but controversy exists regarding its impacts on nontarget organisms, particularly aquatic invertebrates. We evaluated the toxicity of synergized Nusyn‐Noxfish and nonsynergized CFT Legumine rotenone formulations in 4‐ and 8‐h exposures to rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and six species of mountain stream caddisflies, mayflies, and stoneflies. We then compared these results with historical treatment data and aquatic invertebrate collections surrounding rotenone treatments in the 1990s that were designed to restore Paiute cutthroat trout O. clarkii seleniris to the Silver King Creek basin in Alpine County, California. The toxicity of rotenone was greatest to the trout; the synergist piperonyl butoxide appeared to have no effect on the toxicity of rotenone to the trout but did increase the toxicity to the invertebrates. The mean 8‐h concentrations (as rotenone) lethal to 50% of the rainbow trout were 5.3 μg/L for CFT Legumine and 6.2 μg/L for Nusyn‐Noxfish; the mean values for invertebrates ranged from 34 to 174 μg/L for CFT Legumine and from 13 to 74 μg/L for Nusyn‐Noxfish. These findings corresponded to that observed in Silver King Creek, where three annual treatments of 16–23 μg/L for 6–18 h were successful in extirpating rainbow trout hybrids but caused little change in aquatic insect assemblages. To lessen the impacts of rotenone treatment in mountain streams, project planners should (1) use the lowest rotenone concentration and duration needed to accomplish the treatment objective (we suggest 25–50 μg/L for <8 h) and (2) avoid using formulations containing the synergist piperonyl butoxide.

Comparative Study of the Nymphal Biology of Two Coexisting Species of Mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) in a Mediterranean Stream in Southern Europe

AbstractWe study the life history, nymphal feeding and secondary production of two leptophlebiid mayfly species (Habrophlebia eldae and Paraleptophlebia submarginata). They cohabit in a Mediterranean stream and present a very high niche overlap in terms of trophic resources. The life cycle was estimated using size‐frequency analysis of samples taken throughout a year. Both species have a similar but displaced period of the nymphal development. Secondary production was calculated by means of the size‐frequency method. Annual secondary production of P. submarginata is much higher than that of H. eldae (1.95 g DW m–2 year–1 vs. 0.17 g DW m–2 year–1), and presents a quite similar annual P/B ratio, but slightly higher in P. submarginata (6.97 in P. submarginata and 9.21 in H. eldae). The study of the gut contents revealed that they are mainly detritivores but, when larger they feed also on CPOM from leaves fallen in the stream. They present an almost total niche overlap in terms of food acquisition. However the previously mentioned shift in trophic resources utilization with size makes it possible that, because no similar size classes of each species are present at the same time, niche segregation exists between the two species. Though further studies are needed to confirm it, this could be the consequence of previous episodes of competition between them. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Large river mayfl ies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) and their distribution in the Upper Volga River: current knowledge and conservation issues

This article provides an overview on the mayfly species of the headwaters of the Volga River, and gives an indication on the general species composition in East European lowland rivers. Although research on mayflies has tradition in Russia, including some well known scientists, up to now no detailed distribution data on mayflies was available for the headwaters of the Volga Basin. During the research expedition Volga 2005 bottom samples were taken with a grab during the low-flow period. A preliminary checklist already revealed that the mayflies form a taxa-rich part of the benthic invertebrates. After identification it turned out that several typical large river mayflies occurred, which are nowadays rare in Europe. Along the 450 km sampling-stretch from the source to Tver, Ephemeroptera were present in all three geomorphological reaches and their abundance was found to increase downstream. From the material taken during the expedition in 2005, ten families and fourteen genera were identified. At locations where Ephemeroptera were present their total densities varied between 13 and 798 ind. m -2 . Frequent species were Pothamantus luteus, Ephoron virgo, Heptagenia sulphurea and Ephemera danica. The most remarkable species from the faunistical point of view was Prosopistoma pennigerum, which was recorded for the first time from Russia. In total 29 mayfly species were recorded in the headwater of Volga River up to now. The intact hydromorphology in the research area, which is reflected in a high amount of different mesohabitats, definitely supports an individual and species rich mayfly fauna, including several rare and threatened species. As some of these are considered being typical for large rivers at a European perspective, a major emphasis shall be put on the conservation of the intact riverine habitats in the Upper Volga River, supporting this typical and pristine mayfly fauna.

Seasonal Variability in Community Structure and Habitat Selection of Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) in the Nišava River (Serbia)

ABSTRACTThe sedentary nature of many members of the river macroinvertebrate community allows spatial and temporal analyses of disturbance effects. This characteristic also implicates their strong affinity towards certain types of microhabitats. The results of the mayfly (Ephemeroptera) community structure analysis in the Nisava River (Serbia) have shown a clear dependence of the mayfly community on habitat type (solid vs. loose bottoms), physical and chemical parameters (nutrient content), and season. Over a one-year period, on a monthly basis, 28 species of mayfly were identified at 12 localities along the 151 km long stretch of the Nišava River. The community structure changed longitudinally with the changes of physical and chemical parameters and habitat type. The lowest Shannon's diversity index was estimated for the localities with the lowest percentage of solid bottoms (rock, pebble). The highest diversity index was estimated for localities with the highest percentage of solid bottoms and the lowest average content of phosphorus and nitrogen.

Attempts to re-colonise water insects in German brooks

Attempts were made to reintroduce water insects (five stonefly species and one mayfly species) into several third order streams in Rhineland-Palatine and Hessen, Germany. All these streams had been strongly affected by waste water and rubbish and had lost most of their macroinvertebrates. As a consequence of the installation of several purification plants in the past three decades, water quality has improved. Since no stoneflies returned, 700–1300 eggs of three different species (Isoperla goertzi, I. oxylepis, and I. grammatica) were exposed in the Selz brook (1997). In February 1998 a few larvae and in 1999 about 10,000 eggs of Perla marginata were added in the Walluf brook, and in 1998, 500 larvae of Oligoneuriella rhenana each in the Ruwer, Alf and Elz brooks. After 10 years, I found only one single larva of Perla marginata in the Walluf brook. In the laboratory, the total number of eggs produced per female could be determined by rearing. On that basis coupled with the assumption of about 3% survival chances for the embryonic and larval development and of about 50% survival chances for the adult females, it was calculated that at least two females of I. goertzi, eight females of I. oxylepis and seven females of I. grammatica were required to found a new and sustainable population.

Flight of mayflies towards horizontally polarised and unpolarised light

Light in the optical environment is not just coloured, but it is polarised. The visual system of many insect species is polarisation sensitive which allows them to use the polarisation pattern of skylight for navigation purposes. There is also increasing evidence that mayflies and other aquatic and semiaquatic insects are able to detect water bodies on the base of the water-reflected horizontally polarised light using it as an environmental cue to detect suitable habitats. In a pilot experiment we constructed and tested light trap pairs emitting unpolarised and horizontally linearly polarised light with the same intensity and spectrum to record potential polarisation-sensitive species from various insect orders. Aquatic insects are assumed to use horizontally polarised light for habitat detection. Thus, we expected that these species will be captured in significantly greater numbers by the trap emitting horizontally polarised light than by the trap emitting unpolarised light. Trappings were carried out at each night from April to October during 2001 and 2002 at two sites in Hungary. One of the trapping sites was at the edge of the flood basin of a river with some smaller ponds. The other trapping place situated in a protected sand dune area scattered with ephemeral alkali lakes. The same mayfly species were collected by the traps emitting polarised and unpolarised light. From the recorded five species four species were caught in greater numbers and more frequently by the trap emitting horizontally polarised light. Caenis horaria and Cloeon dipterum mayflies were attracted significantly stronger to the polarised trap, thus they are likely to use positive polarotaxis in habitat detection. Ephoron virgo and Caenis macrura also showed a tendency for polarotaxis, but they were represented with too low numbers of individuals in the samples to produce significant differences.

Leptophlebiidae (Ephemeroptera) of the alpine region of the Southern Alps, New Zealand

The alpine region of the South Island of New Zealand is the habitat of a group of endemic mayfly species of the genus Deleatidium, which show adaptation to an alpine tundra environment. Their speciation may be best explained as the consequence of a series of Pleistocene ice advances and retreats. The larval stages of these species are well adapted to cold, fast water and high levels of ultraviolet radiation. Their distribution, restricted by geographic and climatic factors, renders the group vulnerable to climate change.

Seasonal and diel patterns of mayfly (Ephemeroptera) drift in Korge stream, Latvia

A complex set of biotic and abiotic factors affects a drift. Mayfly drift has been extensively studied worldwide, but the manner in which the environmental factors interact is not completely clear. The aim of the present study was to characterise mayfly seasonal and diel drift patterns in relation to abiotic factors in a medium-sized lowland stream in Latvia. Drift samples were collected at three-hour intervals in a riffle section in May, August and September 2007. Distinct seasonal and diel patterns of the mayfly drift were observed in the Korge stream. These were not directly infuenced by primary hydraulic factors e.g. current velocity and discharge, but depended on the active growth period of the mayfly species.

New State and Provincial North American Records for 100 Ephemeroptera Species

ABSTRACT A total of 143 new USA state and Canadian province records of mayfly species are given based on initial published data. One hundred species and 34 states and provinces are represented in the new data. The most cited species (with four or more new state and provincial records each) include Acentrella nadineae, Iswaeon anoka, Leucrocuta maculipennis, Paracloeodes minutus, Procloeon viridoculare, and Pseudocentroptiloides usa. The most cited regions (with five or more new species records each) include Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, and Vermont. While the first record of Spinadis simplex is given for Arkansas, the former incorrect Arkansas record for the latter is shown to be attributable to Raptoheptagenia cruentata.

The Aquatic Insects of the Valles Caldera National Preserve, Sandoval County, New Mexico, Excluding Diptera, with Notes on New State Records

Aquatic insects were collected on the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP), in Sandoval County, New Mexico in 2003 and 2004. We surveyed running water and standing water habitats for Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, Hemiptera, Trichoptera, and Coleoptera. In general, species were typical southern Rocky Mountain and southwestern fauna. A total of 130 species was collected, representing 46 families and 90 genera; 14 of these species were new state records. Trichoptera was the most diverse order and seven species represented new state records, including Agraylea multipuctata Curtis, Hydroptila xera Ross, Ochrotrichia logana (Ross), Psychoglypha subborealis (Banks), Polycentropus gertschi Denning, and new species of Neotrichia Morton and Helicopsyche von Siebold. Collections of the mayfly species Cinygmula ramaleyi (Dodds) and Paraleptophlebia temporalis (McDunnough) represented new state records. The aquatic beetles Haliplus immaculicollis Harris, H. leechi Wallis, and Ametor scabrosus Horn and the hemipterans Callicorixa audeni Hungerford and Gerris gillettei Lethierry and Severin, also represented new state records. Small creeks fed by spring runs were the most diverse aquatic systems on the VCNP.

Recovery of benthic invertebrate communities from acidification in Killarney Park lakes

Using a reference-condition comparison, recovery of benthic invertebrate communities from acidification was assessed in three lakes in Killarney Wilderness Park approximately 40-60 km from the massive metal smelters in Sudbury, Canada. Test site analyses (TSAs) were used to compare the park lakes to 20 reference lakes near Dorset Ontario, 200 km to the east. An extension of a previous survey (1997-2001) of two sensitive mayfly species (Stenonema femoratum and Stenacron interpunctatum) was conducted in one of the lakes. TSA results indicate that the three Killarney lakes remain significantly different from reference condition due primarily to higher abundances of a few acid-tolerant families and the presence of some less abundant sensitive families. Colonization rates differ greatly between the two mayfly species presumably because of competition for available habitat. Overall, this study suggests that early colonizers will gain an advantage to out-compete subsequent arrivals, and these competitive interactions will delay the return of communities to reference condition.

A new species of Prosopistoma Latreille, 1833 (Ephemeroptera: Prosopistomatidae) from northwestern Turkey

The new mayfly species Prosopistoma orhanelicum sp. n. (Ephemeroptera: Prosopistomatidae) was collected from Orhaneli stream, northwestern Anatolia, Turkey. The main diagnostic larval characters are described and compared with two species which are found in nearby geographic regions. The larvae of P. orhanelicum sp. n. are differentiated by the number of antennal segments, antennal segment 2/3-5 ratio, maxillary palp seg 1/seg 2 ratio, width/length ratio of the head and posterolateral projections on abdominal segments 7–9.

Broad-Scale Hypotheses do not Account for Species Richness Patterns of Central American Mayflies

I performed an exploratory analysis of four broad-scale hypotheses (area availability, energy availability, habi- tat heterogeneity and geometric constraints) for changes in species richness over Central American mayfly species, and compared their outcomes at different taxonomic levels. I employed an eigenvector-based spatial filtering to control spatial autocorrelation effects and conducted multiple spatial eigenvector regressions to identify the strongest predictors of spe- cies, genus and family richness. The usefulness of higher-taxa as surrogates for species richness was assessed by Pearson correlations. Mayfly species richness is characterized by a patchy pattern. None of the variables accounted for observed patterns. Only area availability was an effective predictor of mayfly genus and family richness, although both habitat het- erogeneity and energy presented marginal effects on genus richness. I did not observe any relationship between species and higher-taxa richness. Broad-scale hypotheses did not explain species richness patterns of mayflies, which instead can be explained by interactions among studied variables and spatial structure.

The life history of Serratella ignita (Poda, 1761) (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) in a temporary and permanent Mediterranean stream

In mid latitudes, such as the Mediterranean region, one consequence of global climate change will be a progressive shift of permanent to temporary water courses, altering the life histories of present species or making them disappear. Presented here is a study on the life history of a mayfly species, Serratella ignita, in two Mediterranean streams, one permanent and one temporary. The research focuses on life history parameters such as life cycle, nymphal growth pattern, feeding type, biomass and secondary production. The life cycle was univoltine, showing a fast seasonal nymphal growth during four months in the permanent stream and five months in the temporary stream, with a long egg stage with diapause. The cumulated day-degrees during nymphal growth were similar between streams. Both populations behaved mainly as gatherer-collectors, but the population from the temporary stream also played an important role as a scraper. Animal matter was also consumed by nymphs from both populations. Gut content analysis showed that both S. ignita populations were opportunist/generalists, where changes in diet were correlated with size. Biomass and secondary production were notably higher in the permanent stream, but they were also high in the temporary stream. These data show that S. ignita had a high fitness in both streams. Our results support the idea that species such as this one may cope with future global climate change by maintaining, or even increasing, their populations at the expense of more stenoecic species.

Large, Wetland-Associated Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of Glacier National Park, Montana

We describe species richness and habitat associations of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) collected during amphibian surveys of 355 water bodies in Glacier National Park (NP), Montana, in 2006–2008. We collected 9 taxa (in 7 genera) of mayflies that were identifiable to species. Callibaetis jerrugineus hageni was collected most frequently, followed by Siphlonurus occidentalis, S. phyllis, Ameletus celer, A. similior, Parameletus columbiae, Ephemerella dorothea infrequens, Baetis bicaudatus, and Leptophlebia cupida. Siphlonurus phyllis had not been reported in the western United States prior to our surveys, and P. columbiae is a species of concern in the region. The identifications of 4 additional taxa were uncertain due to the poor condition of specimens found at only one site (Centroptilum sp. and Paraleptophlebia sp.) or because nymphal specimens could not be confidently identified (Cinygma sp. and Cinygmula sp.). Species richness of mayflies in wetlands seems low compared to that in streams and lakes in Glacier National Park. We found the most species of mayflies in beaver ponds, where we detected some species not commonly associated with lentic water bodies. Our survey was the first extensive survey of wetland invertebrates in Glacier NP and only the second that we are aware of in western Montana.

Kérész (Ephemeroptera) és álkérész (Plecoptera) faunisztikai vizsgálatok a gyűrűfűi Biodiverzitás Napon

On the occasion of Biodiversity Day at Gyűrűfű four mayfly species were detected in Sándor-árok and one species of stonefly at the same place during an earlier collection: Baetis rhodani, Electrogena ujhelyii, Ephemera danica, Habrophlebia fusca, Nemoura cinerea. Previously these species have not been detected in Zselic.

New Middle Jurassic Mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera: Siphlonuridae) from Inner Mongolia, China

Two new mayfly species, Cheirolgisca ningchengensis gen. and sp. nov. and Olgisca angusticubitis sp. nov. from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation of Ningcheng County, Inner Mongolia, NE China are described herein, both attributed to the extant family, Siphlonuridae. The Mesozoic mayfly imagoes have been rarely reported, thus the new material with well-preserved gonostyles provides valuable evolutionary evidence on this family.

Community structure of Ephemeroptera in Siberian streams

AbstractIn recent decades, the relationships between environmental conditions and community structures of stream macroinvertebrates have been investigated in many parts of the world. However, knowledge about assemblages of mayflies and other stream macroinvertebrates in Siberia (northern Asia) and Asia is limited. In fact, the patterns in mayfly species richness and assemblage structure in relation to environmental parameters have not been previously examined in western Siberia. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between Ephemeroptera community structure and physical parameters along a river altitude/longitude gradient in Siberia. The results showed that maximum species richness was at relatively low altitudes, high water temperatures, slow current velocities, medium stream widths, medium‐small substrate particle size, and the presence of macrophytes. The mayfly assemblage was separated using TWINSPAN classification into eight distinct groups, which differed significantly with respect to at least one measured environmental factor. Multivariate ordination (detrended correspondence analysis) revealed that mayfly assemblages are structured by a single dominant gradient of altitude‐related environmental variables; altitude and water temperature were the best predictors. Ordination further revealed that mayfly assemblages are structured by altitude‐related environmental factors at high elevations, whereas in the lowlands these factors are less important.

Evaluation of Mayfly Species Originally Described as Baetis Leach (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from California

Eight species of mayflies described in Baetis Leach from California are evaluated for validity, generic classification, and distribution. Taxonomic status quo is maintained for the southwestern Baetis adonis Traver [ = B. sp. A Morihara and McCafferty, = B. caelestis Allen and Murvosh], B. devinctus Traver [synonym of Diphetor hageni (Eaton)], and B. leechi Day [synonym of Fallceon quilleri (Dodds)]. Baetis alius Day is shown to be common in the northwestern U.S.A. and somewhat variable but distinctive as larvae; B. moqui Wiersema, Nelson and Kuehnl is shown to be a junior synonym of B. alius, new synonym. Baetis diablus Day is correctly placed to genus but remains unknown as larvae and has been rarely taken only in California; it is possibly a variant of B. tricaudatus Dodds. Baetis palisadi Mayo is correctly placed to genus, and based on discovered larvae has diagnostic mandibles and labial palpi among rhodani group species; it is apparently endemic to California and of environmental concern. Baetis piscatoris Traver is correctly placed to genus, relatively common in California, and based on discovered larvae is the only known rhodani group species with elongate gills. Baetis sulfurosus Day belongs in Fallceon Waltz and McCafferty, as evidenced by discovered larvae; it is also a junior synonym of the western F. thermophilos (McDunnnough), new combination, new synonym, and is distinct from western congeners by size and color pattern of larvae, and hindwings and subgenital plate of adults.

Life history and larval feeding of some species of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera (Insecta) in the Sierra Nevada (Southern Iberian Peninsula)

We monitored two high mountain streams from the Sierra Nevada (Southern Spain) monthly throughout an annual cycle, measuring and analyzing physical and chemical parameters. Temperature was hourly registered. We studied life cycles and larval feeding of four mayfly species [Serratella ignita (Poda, 1761), Serratella spinosa nevadensis (Alba-Tercedor, 1981), Alainites muticus (Linnaeus, 1758), and Baetis alpinus Pictet, 1843] and two stonefly species [Amphinemura triangularis (Ris, 1902) and Capnioneura mitis Despax, 1932]. Some species changed their strategies (growth rate, life cycle duration, and/or voltinism) in accordance with different conditions (depending on the altitude and temperature). The gut content data showed that species fed mainly on detritus (as collector-gatherers or as shredders), except B. alpinus that behaved as a scraper in one of the streams. Differences in the larval diet of the same species in different streams, and even through its life, support the idea of not using general models to extrapolate the function of a species from a higher taxonomical level.