The influence of leaf litter on the distribution of aquatic Chironomidae pupal (Diptera) fauna in Tunca River (Edirne/Turkey)

Abstract

This study was designed to compare the potential differences in the colonization of Chironomidae pupal fauna in various leaf packs. The study was carried out in Tunca River (Edirne). Three stations were selected in the river and 5 different leaf packs ( Platanus orientalis L ., Ulmus leavis Pall ., Morus alba L ., Juglans regia L., and artificial Buxus sp.) were used to take samples. 20 kg potato bags were used during leaves packaging, prepared 5 packages of each leaves and a total of 25 packets were placed in each of the stations. Chironomidae pupal samples were collected from June 2012 to October 2012. The collected samples were placed in 70% ethyl alcohol, brought to the laboratory and diagnosed under stereo microscope . Then ANOVA test was used to analyse Chironomidae pupae in dates, stations, and leaf packs and 0.05 α statistical significance was used in all tests. When there was a meaningful difference, the reason was revealed by the Tukey test. Chironomidae pupae were found at most 3, 1 and 2. stations respectively and in leaf species of artificial Buxus sp. and Ulmus leavis . Eight species were identified in leaf packs. The Polypedilum ( Polypedilum ) nubeculosum (Meigen, 1804) was found to be the most common species.