<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Measuring the linear characteristics of chironomid larvae is easier and faster than measuring their mass. The relationships between them are approximated by parabolic equations. Generalized equations are provided for all chironomid larvae. However, these relations vary in different water bodies. Measurements of 1424 chironomid larvae representing several species were taken in Crimean waters with salinity ranging from 0 to 280 PSU. There was a high correlation between three traits. In the case of <italic>Baeotendipes noctivagus</italic> and <italic>Cricotopus</italic> gr. <italic>sylvestris</italic>, dimorphism was found in the “head capsule length– width” relationship. Salinity affects the head capsule. The exponent “b” varied from 1.43 to 3.06 in the “body length-mass” equation for <italic>B. noctivagus</italic>, and from 1.943 to 2.592 for <italic>C</italic>. gr. <italic>sylvestris</italic>. It is inappropriate to use only one coefficient “b” for all chironomid larvae. In <italic>B. noctivagus</italic> and <italic>Paratanytarsus confuses</italic>, the mass of one-size larvae decreased with increasing salinity. Salinity is not the only factor affecting the size and mass of chironomid larvae.</p></abstract>

Measuring the linear characteristics of chironomid larvae is easier and faster than measuring their mass. The relationships between them are approximated by parabolic equations. Generalized equations are provided for all chironomid larvae. However, these relations vary in different water bodies. Measurements of 1424 chironomid larvae representing several species were taken in Crimean waters with salinity ranging from 0 to 280 PSU. There was a high correlation between three traits. In the case of Baeotendipes noctivagus and Cricotopus gr. sylvestris, dimorphism was found in the “head capsule length– width” relationship. Salinity affects the head capsule. The exponent “b” varied from 1.43 to 3.06 in the “body length-mass” equation for B. noctivagus, and from 1.943 to 2.592 for C. gr. sylvestris. It is inappropriate to use only one coefficient “b” for all chironomid larvae. In B. noctivagus and Paratanytarsus confuses, the mass of one-size larvae decreased with increasing salinity. Salinity is not the only factor affecting the size and mass of chironomid larvae.

Does salinity affect body proportions and “size/mass” ratios of highly halotolerant <italic>Baeotendipes noctivagus</italic> larvae (Diptera, Chironomidae)?

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies

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Does salinity affect body proportions and “size/mass” ratios of highly halotolerant  larvae (Diptera, Chironomidae)?

Measuring the linear characteristics of chironomid larvae is easier and faster than measuring their mass. The relationships between them are approximated by...

Does salinity affect body proportions and “size/mass” ratios of highly halotolerant Baeotendipes noctivagus larvae (Diptera, Chironomidae)?

Article Category: Research Article

Published Online: Dec 10, 2019

Page range: 305 - 315

Received: Mar 23, 2019

Accepted: Jun 17, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ohs-2019-0028

© 2019 Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.