Stoichiometry in the plecopteran shredder Klapopteryx kuscheli in low order Andean streams

BALSEIRO, E.G; ALBARINO, RICARDO J

Lahti

Congreso; XXIX SIL COngress; 2004

In the present study, we examine variability in the C:N content of Klapopteryx kuscheli body and faeces fed on different leaf litter, including four native and one exotic tree species.  We analyse how this plecopteran compensates for the imbalance of C:N of the food in relation to its body. We found that K. kuscheli compensates the food imbalance by changing the Nitrogen excretion rate and when fed on native leaf litter, this plecopteran produces faeces with low C:N ratio.  The FPOM produce by this insect is in consequence very reach for other filter feeding benthic insects.