Diet and functional feeding groups of Chironomidae (Diptera) in the Middle Paraná River floodplain (Argentina).

GALIZZI, CELESTE; ZILLI FLORENCIA; MARCHESE MERCEDES ROSA

IHERINGIA. SéRIE ZOOLOGIA

FUNDACAO ZOOBOTANICA RIO GRANDE SUL

Lugar: Porto Alegre; Año: 2012 p. 117 - 121

0073-4721

The gut contents of nine genera of benthic Chironominae and Tanypodinae from the Middle Paraná River floodplain habitats (alake and a secondary channel) were analyzed to determine their feeding patterns and functional feeding groups. Amorphous detritus, animaland vegetal tissues, and mineral materials (predominantly sand) were observed in the larval guts. Amorphous detritus were the main food itemfound for Polypedilum (Tripodura) sp., Chironomus gr. decorus sp., Endotribelos sp., Phaenopsectra sp., Cladopelma sp., and Pelomus sp.(Chironominae), while animal tissues (mainly oligochaetes) were the most important food item found for Ablabesmyia (Karelia)sp., Coelotanypussp., and Procladius sp. (Tanypodinae). Dietary overlap was calculated for all pairs of genera. Within predators, the highest overlap was obtainedbetween Coelotanypus sp. and Ablabesmyia (Karelia) sp., while within detritivores the highest niche overlap was obtained between Endotribelossp. and Phaenopsectra sp