An enigmatic heteronemertean from the Gulf of Mexico

The effects of acid (HNO3) on drift and survival of benthic invertebrate communities were assessed in stream microcosms over a 7-day exposure period. Communities were obtained from the Cache la Poudre River, Colorado, using artificial substrates colonized in the stream for 30 days and then transferred to stream microcosms. Streams receiving the highest acid concentration (pH 4.0) contained significantly fewer individuals ( F = 378.42, p < 0.0001) and taxa ( F = 7.8, p = 0.0123) at the end of the experiment compared to the other two treatments (pH 5.5, 6.5) and the control (pH 7.4). Reduced macroinvertebrate abundance resulted primarily from reduced abundance of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) which were particularly sensitive. Comparisons of Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Diptera abundances showed no statistically significant differences among treatments. Analysis of invertebrate drift samples, collected after 2, 6, 18, and 42 h exposure, revealed that percent drift in the most acidic streams was nine times that of control streams. Ephemeroptera was the only aquatic insect order to exhibit a significant drift response, and timing and magnitude of responses varied among mayfly taxa. Differences in sensitivity to acid among aquatic insect orders observed in our experimental streams were similar to those reported from field studies in other regions. Effects of acid on drift and survival of benthic invertebrate communities were also similar to effects of heavy metals, one of the primary water quality concerns in the Rocky Mountain region. These results suggest a general pattern of responses to chemical stressors in benthic communities from Rocky Mountain streams. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Benthic ecology of a spring-fed river of interior Alaska

1. A massive aquifer between the Gerstle, Tanana and Delta rivers in interior Alaska receives water from them and from smaller streams that flow from the Granite Mountains in the Alaska Range, Groundwater from the aquifer intersects the surface in a mid-sized (20m³s^?1× 10%) spring-fed stream, Clearwater Creek. 2. Mean annual air temperature is about -2.6°C. However, even in winter when air temperature often reaches —40°C, the stream does not form a complete ice cover. Water temperature ranges from 0 to 7.8°C. Specific conductance and the concentrations of major ions vary little throughout the year, and summed ionic salinity exceeds 250 mg1-^?1. 3. Benthic algal standing crop (as chlorophyll a) was at least an order of magnitude higher than that in a nearby surface-water stream, the upper Chena River, Standing crop peaked in spring and autumn (about 20mgm^?2) and averaged about half this value, although biomass of an early spring bloom of Hydrurus foetid us was underestimated. 4. Algal standing crop was inversely related to the concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and orrhophosphate-phosphorus in the water column. The ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus (as mass concentrations) was always about 30. Measurements of primary production made in Clearwater Creek were among the highest reported for streams in subarctic Alaska. 5. Macroinvertebrate diversity in Clearwater Creek was low. Numbers of ‘morpho-species’ in monthly Surber samples (0.09m²) averaged nine, and ranged from three to fourteen. However, benthos and drift densities were similar to those reported from other Alaskan streams. In early spring and autumn, drifting macroinvertebrates were primarily Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera, but in summer, Diptera dominated the drift. The low diversity of macroinvertebrates is hypothesized to be a consequence of the small annual range in water temperature and the relatively constant discharge of Clearwater Creek.     

Invertebrate drift along a longitudinal gradient in a Neotropical stream in Serra do Cipó National Park,Brazil

The diversity and composition of drift invertebrate assemblages were evaluated along a longitudinal gradient of an altitudinal stream in southeastern Brazil. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of seasonality, stream order, and some abiotic factors on invertebrate drift and the use of drifting invertebrate assemblages to assess aquatic invertebrate diversity. Drift samples were collected over a 24 h period using nets (open area of 0.08 m²; mesh 0.250 mm), partially submerged (60%) in the water column. Taxonomic richness, Pielou evenness (J), Shannon–Wiener diversity (H), and total density of drift invertebrate assemblages were used in unpaired t-tests, Kruskal–Wallis and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results showed a high taxonomic richness of aquatic invertebrates, with 91 taxa found. Chironomidae and Ephemeroptera represented together c. 80% of the total density of drift organisms. The drift approach allowed the collection of new and rare taxa, besides the knowledge of pupae stage of several chironomid genera. Significant differences in the taxonomic richness and diversity of drift invertebrate assemblages were found between the rainy and dry periods, indicating a significant influence of seasonality. An increase in water flow and electrical conductivity were associated with the increase in the taxonomic richness and diversity in the rainy period. No significant differences were found among the other abiotic variables among the stream orders.     

Short-term study testing the resilience of an estuarine bivalve to macroalgal mats

Increased mortality of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), related to lowered levels of stored energy following the loss of ice cover during winter, has been observed after hydropower development in the subarctic River Alta, northern Norway. Drift samples were compared to examine if drift densities, and thus drift prey availabilities for juvenile salmon, were lower in the ice-free than the ice-covered area. In addition, juvenile salmon stomach contents were compared to benthos and drift in the ice-free area to examine salmon winter feeding habitat. Zooplankton, originating from the reservoir, dominated drift at the ice-free site but had lower densities at the downstream ice-covered site. Excluding zooplankton, Chironomidae comprised most of the remaining drift at both the ice-free and ice-covered site, followed by Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Simuliidae. No Trichoptera were found in the drift samples. There was no consistent diel periodicity in drift. Benthos was dominated by Chironomidae, followed by Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera. Other invertebrates occurred in low numbers. Juvenile salmon demonstrated size-selective feeding and fed mainly on Ephemeroptera, followed by Trichoptera and Plecoptera. No zooplankton and few Chironomidae were found in the stomach samples. Stomach content was more similar to benthos than to drift, indicating a larger extent of benthic than drift feeding. No evidence was found for the hypothesis that lack of ice cover reduced the invertebrate drift or caused diel periodicity in the drift. Differences in drift between areas with and without ice could not account for the observed differences in mortality of juvenile salmon during the winter in these areas.     

The effects of stream acidity on benthic invertebrate communities in the south-eastern United States

1. Patterns in invertebrate community structure were determined from analysis of benthic samples taken quarterly for 1 year from four sites in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Sites ranged in baseflow pH from 4.5 to 6.8, with a corresponding range in inorganic monomeric aluminium concentrations from 3 to 197 μgl^?1. 2. Total invertebrate density (excluding Chironomidae) was correlated with pH (R²= 0.90, P<0.05). Density of Ephemeroptera was more highly correlated with pH than density of invertebrates in other taxonomic orders. Invertebrate density (total and density of different orders) was generally more strongly correlated with pH than to inorganic monomeric aluminium concentrations. 3. Species richness declined from sixty-nine species at the highest pH site to thirty-three species at the lowest pH site. Richness of Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera was positively correlated with pH (R²= 0.96 in both cases). Trichopteran richness was also negatively correlated with inorganic monomeric Al concentrations (R²= 0.96, P< 0.05). Plecopteran richness was not related to stream acidity. 4. Not all species of Ephemeroptera were negatively affected by low stream water pH. At low pH sites, Ameletus lineatus Traver (Family: Siphonoluridae) was relatively more abundant compared to other species of Ephemeroptera, and had greater biomass and greater weight per individual length than at higher pH sites. 5. Differences in invertebrate community parameters among sites were not based on changes in food abundance. Although grazer densities were positively correlated with pH (R²= 0.93, P < 0.05), differences in density were not related to differences in food. To the contrary, lower grazer densities occurred at the lowest pH site where measured food abundance (algae) was highest. Likewise, shredder density increased with increasing pH but was correlated with standing stocks of benthic organic matter (BOM), which had generally higher standing stocks at lower pH sites. 6. Transplants of two species of Ephemeroptera between sites differing in pH (6.4 v 5.0) resulted in increased mortality of organisms placed at lower pH sites. In another transplant experiment, differences in mortality were not observed, although surviving invertebrates at low pH sites had ×10 higher body burdens of aluminium following the transplant than invertebrates from the reference site. 7. These results indicate that direct effects of pH and Al (affecting survival) were more important than indirect effects of food availability in determining changes in invertebrate community structure between the study sites.     

Benthic macro- and meso-invertebrates of a sandy riverbed in a mountain stream, central Japan

Quantitative samples of benthic invertebrates were collected from a sandy riverbed of a mountainous stream (Kozu site of Takami-gawa stream, Nara Prefecture), central Japan by core samplers in five sampling occasions through the years 2008–2009. A total of 120 taxa were identified, representing 55 families and 97 genera. Insects formed about 92% of the total recorded taxa and 88% of individuals’ abundance. A total of 111 taxa of aquatic insects, belonging to 49 families and 92 genera, were identified and represented by ten orders. Oligochaeta and Acari were dominant non-insect invertebrates. Diptera was the most diverse insect group, followed by Trichoptera and Ephemeroptera. Dominant taxa were mesoinvertebrates, younger stages of macroinvertebrates, both of which predominantly inhabit the interstitial zone of a sandy riverbed. Both taxon richness and invertebrate abundance were higher in February 2009 and lower in April and August 2008. A few major invertebrate taxa demonstrated distinct seasonal trends; i.e. Nymphomyia alba, Rheosmittia, and Corynoneura were abundant in February 2009. Newly hatched larvae of Larcasia akagiae were abundant in May 2008. This study also demonstrated the effectiveness of core samplers to collect small-sized benthic fauna that inhabit the interstitial or hyporheic zone of the sandy riverbed.     

The effects of electrofishing on the invertebrates of a Lake District stream

Summary The experiments were performed in Dale Park Beck, a stony stream in the English Lake District. Two operators electrofished the sampling area (length 20 m in April and July 1970, and 40 m in May 1971) three times (runs 1, 2, 3) in each experiment.Electrofishing caused a marked increase in the number of invertebrates drifting out of the sampling area, and nearly all taxa taken in the bottom samples were also found in the drift samples. The fish shocker was chiefly responsible for the increased drifting of Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera and Gammarus pulex, and these taxa were dislodged from the substratum more easily than Trichoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera and Polycelis felina. The increased drifting of the latter taxa was chiefly due to the disturbance of the substratum by the two operators.Most of the invertebrates drifting from the upstream end of the experimental section returned to the bottom within the sampling area. The invertebrate drift out of the sampling area came chiefly from the downstream end of the section, and was equivalent to a loss of only 5% from the total benthos in the sampling area (losses varied between <1 and 13% for individual taxa).     

Predicted macroinvertebrate response to water diversion from a montane stream using two-dimensional hydrodynamic models and zero flow approximation

We used two-dimensional hydrodynamic models for the assessment of water diversion effects on benthic macroinvertebrates and associated habitat in a montane stream in Yosemite National Park, Sierra Nevada Mountains, CA, USA. We sampled the macroinvertebrate assemblage via Surber sampling, recorded detailed measurements of bed topography and flow, and coupled a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model with macroinvertebrate indicators to assess habitat across a range of low flows in 2010 and representative past years. We also made zero flow approximations to assess response of fauna to extreme conditions. The fauna of this montane reach had a higher percentage of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (%EPT) than might be expected given the relatively low faunal diversity of the study reach. The modeled responses of wetted area and area-weighted macroinvertebrate metrics to decreasing discharge indicated precipitous declines in metrics as flows approached zero. Changes in area-weighted metrics closely approximated patterns observed for wetted area, i.e., area-weighted invertebrate metrics contributed relatively little additional information above that yielded by wetted area alone. Loss of habitat area in this montane stream appears to be a greater threat than reductions in velocity and depth or changes in substrate, and the modeled patterns observed across years support this conclusion. Our models suggest that step function losses of wetted area may begin when discharge in the Merced falls to 0.02 m³/s; proportionally reducing diversions when this threshold is reached will likely reduce impacts in low flow years.     

Spatial and temporal variability of macroinvertebrates in spawning and non-spawning habitats during a salmon run in Southeast Alaska

Spawning salmon create patches of disturbance through redd digging which can reduce macroinvertebrate abundance and biomass in spawning habitat. We asked whether displaced invertebrates use non-spawning habitats as refugia in streams. Our study explored how the spatial and temporal distribution of macroinvertebrates changed during a pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) spawning run and compared macroinvertebrates in spawning (riffle) and non-spawning (refugia) habitats in an Alaskan stream. Potential refugia included: pools, stream margins and the hyporheic zone, and we also sampled invertebrate drift. We predicted that macroinvertebrates would decline in riffles and increase in drift and refugia habitats during salmon spawning. We observed a reduction in the density, biomass and taxonomic richness of macroinvertebrates in riffles during spawning. There was no change in pool and margin invertebrate communities, except insect biomass declined in pools during the spawning period. Macroinvertebrate density was greater in the hyporheic zone and macroinvertebrate density and richness increased in the drift during spawning. We observed significant invertebrate declines within spawning habitat; however in non-spawning habitat, there were less pronounced changes in invertebrate density and richness. The results observed may be due to spawning-related disturbances, insect phenology, or other variables. We propose that certain in-stream habitats could be important for the persistence of macroinvertebrates during salmon spawning in a Southeast Alaskan stream.     

Incorporating invertebrate predators into theory regarding the timing of invertebrate drift

Theory concerning the timing of lotic invertebrate drift suggests that daytime-feeding fish cause invertebrates to restrict their drift behavior to the nighttime. However, there is growing evidence that the nighttime foraging of invertebrate predators also contributes to the nocturnal timing of drift, though it is unclear whether the nocturnal behavior of invertebrate predators is innate or proximately caused by fish. In two experiments, one conducted in a fish-bearing stream and a second in a fishless stream, we compared the drift patterns of Baetidae (Ephemeroptera) from channels with and without benthic invertebrate predators. We tested whether invertebrate predators affect the timing of drift, either as a proximate cause of nocturnal drift in the fishless stream (diel periodicity) or as a proximate cause of a pre-dawn peak in drift in the fish-bearing stream (nocturnal periodicity). In the fish-bearing stream experiment, a pre-dawn increase of baetid drift occurred independently of invertebrate predators, indicating that invertebrate predators were not the proximate cause of nocturnal periodicity in the stream. In the fishless stream experiment, invertebrate predators caused more baetid drift at night than during the day, indicating that invertebrate predators caused the nocturnal drift pattern we observed in the stream, and that invertebrate predators can influence drift timing independently of fish. Therefore, we suggest that both visually feeding fish and nocturnally foraging benthic predators, when present, affect the timing of invertebrate drift; visually feeding fish by reducing daytime drift, and benthic predators by increasing nighttime drift.     

Invertebrate drift and benthic community dynamics in a lowland neotropical stream, Costa Rica

In this study we quantified invertebrate drift and related it to the structure of the benthic community, over a 6–8 month period, in a 4th-order tropical stream in Costa Rica. Relative to reports from similar-sized temperate and tropical streams, drift densities were high (2-fold greater: mean 11.2 m⁻³; range 2.5–25 m⁻³), and benthic insect densities were relatively low (>3-fold lower: mean 890 m⁻²; range 228–1504 m⁻²). Drift was dominated by larval shrimps that represented more than 70% of total drift on any given date; the remaining 30% was composed of 54 insect taxa. Among insects, Simuliidae and Chironomidae (Diptera) and Baetidae, Leptohyphes and Tricorythodes (Ephemeroptera) comprised 24% of total drift. Drift periodicity was strongly nocturnal, with peaks at 18:00 h (sunset) and 03:00 h. Our results, and those of previous experiments in the study stream, suggest that nighttime drift is driven by the presence of predatory diurnal drift-feeding fishes and nocturnal adult shrimps. There were no clear seasonal patterns over both ‘dry’ and wet seasons, suggesting that benthic communities are subject to similar stresses throughout the year, and that populations grow and reproduce continuously. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The relationship between pH and community structure of invertebrates in streams of the Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, U.S.A.

1. A replicated natural experiment was used to assess the influence of pH and low alkalinity on abundance and richness of invertebrate families in streams draining catchments that receive acid deposition. Individual streams were used as the unit of replication, allowing conclusions to refer to a class of streams rather than to particular streams. 2. We also controlled for several factors other than pH and alkalinity, including flow and temperature, that are recognized as determinants of invertebrate distribution. Samples were from indigenous rocks, standardized for size, surface area, and geology. 3. Repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVA) revealed that invertebrate abundance and richness were significantly lower at pH 5.8 than at pH 7.1 for the total community. Thirty per cent of the forty-seven families exhibited significantly lower abundance at pH 5.8; thirteen families were absent at pH 5.8. Differences were greatest for Ephemeroptera: species richness was significantly lower at pH 5.8, and 71% of the twenty-four species were either absent (seven) or found in reduced abundance (ten) in the acidic streams. 4. Stream alkalinity is projected to continue to decrease with continued acid deposition in the Shenandoah National Park. Concurrent decreases in pH may lead to the absence or continued numerical decline of certain Ephemeroptera species in streams that acidify to less than pH 6.0 and/or 50μEql^?1 alkalinity.     

香溪河大型底栖无脊椎动物空间分布

2005年7月至2006年6月,通过对大型底栖无脊椎动物的量化检测,对三峡水库湖北库区最大河流香溪河的大型底栖无脊椎动物空间分布进行了研究.结果表明：四节蜉、高翔蜉、短尾石蝇为香溪河水系大型底栖动物优势类群;香溪河各支流间生境特征及大型底栖无脊椎动物群落结构差异较大;功能摄食类群密度相对丰度的变化能够反映不同的栖境特征.对生物多样性指数及优势类群耐污值的比较表明,大型底栖动物栖境为九冲河最好,香溪河干流次之,高岚河和古夫河较差.典型对应分析表明：铵态氮对香溪河大型底栖动物群落结构影响显著;pH值、浊度、水深、二氧化硅、电导和碱度对九冲河大型底栖动物群落结构影响显著;浊度对高岚河大型底栖动物群落结构影响显著;铵态氮和硝酸盐氮对古夫河大型底栖动物群落结构影响显著.     

Broad-scale geographical patterns in local stream insect genera richness

Comprehensive global studies of stream invertebrate assemblages are rare and have produced contradictory results. To address this shortcoming, we compiled data from 495 published estimates of local genera richness for three orders of stream‐dwelling insects (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera) from throughout the world and used these data to describe global geographic patterns in stream insect genera richness and to address two questions: 1) does local stream insect richness vary more with regional historical factors or with local ecological factors?, and 2) to what extent have streams converged in the number of taxa they support?
Maximum genera richness varied sharply across the range of latitude examined from the south to north poles for all three orders of aquatic insects. Ephemeroptera richness showed 3 peaks (～30°S, 10°N, and 40°N) with highest richness near 5–10°N and 40°N latitude. Plecoptera richness was distinctly highest at ～40°N latitude with a similar peak at 40°S latitude. Trichoptera richness showed less latitudinal variation than the other taxa but was slightly higher near the equator and at 40°N and S latitude than at other latitudes. Genera richness generally declined with increasing elevation, except for Plecoptera. Maximum genera richness increased steadily with a measure of regional terrestrial net primary production and declined sharply with a measure of hydrologic disturbance for all orders. Richness varied widely among both biogeographical realms and biomes, although ca 2 times as much variation in richness was associated with biome as biogeographic realm. Richness for each order was highest in different biogeographic realms, but all orders had highest richness in broadleaf forest biomes. These latter results imply that spatial variation in local richness of stream insects is more strongly affected by contemporary ecological factors than by historical biogeography and that maintenance of intact forested landscapes may be critical to the conservation of stream invertebrate faunas.     

Larval salamanders and diel drift patterns of aquatic invertebrates in an Austrian stream

1. Aquatic predators may influence drift periodicity either directly or indirectly (by non‐consumptive effects involving chemical cues). We took drift samples (eight successive 3‐h sampling intervals over a 24‐h period) on five dates (September 2007, March, April, June and August 2008). Samples were taken at three sites (one site with trout throughout the year, two sites without trout but with fire salamander larvae as top predators from April to August, but without vertebrate predators during the rest of the year) in a stream near Vienna, Austria, to examine the effects of predators on drift periodicity. 2. Of 45 331 specimens caught, the most abundant taxa were Ephemeroptera (32.3%; mainly Baetidae), Diptera (21.5%; mainly Chironomidae), Amphipoda (17.4%; all Gammarus fossarum), Plecoptera (5.4%), Coleoptera (3.5%) and Trichoptera (1.2%). For more detailed analyses, we chose Ephemeroptera (Baetidae; n = 13 457) and Amphipoda (G. fossarum; n = 7888), which were numerous on all sampling dates. 3. The number of drifting baetids and amphipods, as well as total drift density, was generally higher at night than by day, although without predators these differences were significant for Gammaridae but not for Baetidae. 4. When broken down to size classes, night–day drift ratios generally were not significantly different from equality in all size classes of baetids when larval fire salamanders and trout were absent. When predators were present, however, baetid drift density was usually higher at night, except in the smallest and largest size classes. In all size classes of G. fossarum, drift density was usually higher at night, whether with or without the top predators. 5. Although we could study predator effects on drift periodicity at three sites on only a single stream, it seems that non‐consumptive effects may affect Baetidae. Salamander larvae, most probably via kairomones, induced a shift towards mainly nocturnal drift, which could be interpreted as predator avoidance.     

Louisiana waterthrushes (Seiurus motacilla) and habitat assessments as cost-effective indicators of instream biotic integrity

1. Benthic stream animals, in particular macroinvertebrates, are good indicators of water quality, but sampling can be laborious to obtain accurate indices of biotic integrity. Thus, tools for bioassessment that include measurements other than macroinvertebrates would be valuable additions to volunteer monitoring protocols. 2. We evaluated the usefulness of a stream‐dependent songbird, the Louisiana waterthrush (waterthrush, Seiurus motacilla) and the Environmental Protection Agency Visual Habitat Assessment (EPA VHA) as indicators of the macrobenthos community in headwater streams of the Georgia Piedmont, U.S.A. We sampled macrobenthos, surveyed waterthrushes and measured habitat characteristics along 39 headwater reaches across 17 catchments ranging from forested to heavily urbanised or grazed by cattle. 3. Of the indicators considered, waterthrush occupancy was best for predicting relative abundances of macrobenthic taxa, while the EPA VHA was best for predicting Ephemeroptera–Plecoptera–Trichoptera (EPT) richness. Individual components of EPA VHA scores were much less useful as indicators of EPT richness and % EPT when compared with the total score. Waterthrushes were found along streams with higher % EPT, a lower Family Biotic Index (FBI) values and greater macrobenthos biomass. 4. While macroinvertebrates remain one of the most direct indicators of stream water quality, stream bird surveys and reach‐scale habitat assessments can serve as cost‐effective indicators of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. Using stream‐dependent birds as an early warning signal for degradation of stream biotic integrity could improve the efficacy of catchment monitoring programmes in detecting and identifying perturbations within the catchment.     

Do isolation and local habitat jointly limit the structure of stream invertebrate assemblages?

1. Both local and regional processes simultaneously control species assemblages depending on spatial habitat configuration. In dendritic networks like streams, the unique spatial arrangement of habitats produces various combinations of local habitat size and isolation. Stream invertebrate assemblages could therefore be controlled by different combinations of local and regional processes, depending on their location in the network. 2. Using quantile regression, we investigated how local habitat size, local environmental conditions and spatial isolation influenced variation in assemblage composition. Adult Trichoptera and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages were represented by non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination scores, as were local environmental conditions, in four headwater stream networks in New Zealand. 3. With increasing local habitat size, there was a decrease in variation in assemblage composition (NMDS scores) of both adult Trichoptera and benthic macroinvertebrates. This relationship between habitat size and assemblage variation was related to local habitat conditions at the upper limit of assemblage variability and spatial isolation at the lower limit of assemblage variability, for both adult Trichoptera and benthic assemblages, indicating joint local and regional controls on stream invertebrate assemblages. 4. The relationships between local assemblages and their neighbours, based on community similarity scores, differed between benthic macroinvertebrates and adult Trichoptera. For benthic assemblages, the larger the stream, the more similar assemblages were to neighbouring assemblages, whereas there was no consistent relationship between assemblage similarity and stream size for adult Trichoptera. This difference in structuring could be attributed to contrasting spatial influences linked to the different dispersal modes of adults and larvae. However, because adult and benthic assemblages are not independent, the influence of life stage on spatial distribution is difficult to determine (i.e. it is essentially a ‘chicken and egg’ argument). 5. Overall, our approach using quantile regression to evaluate limit responses, rather than regressions on means, has highlighted the joint importance of local habitat and spatial processes in structuring stream invertebrate assemblages. Furthermore, we have provided evidence for the importance of the spatial network arrangement and interactions between life stages and dispersal processes, in structuring stream assemblages.     

The influence of habitat structure and flow permanence on invertebrate communities in karst spring systems

The macroinvertebrate fauna of five karst (limestone) springbrook systems with contrasting physical habitat and discharge patterns were investigated to examine the role of flow permanence and habitat structure on macroinvertebrate community composition. Clear physical differences were identified between perennial and intermittent springs and individual sampling stations. However, flow permanence, water temperature and the input of leaf litter exerted a greater influence on the aquatic invertebrate community than habitat structure. Perennial sites were characterised by a greater abundance of macroinvertebrates and greater Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) richness than intermittent sites. The fauna of all of the springbrook systems examined were dominated by relatively common and ubiquitous taxa (e.g. Gammarus pulex) although a number of taxa displaying life cycle adaptations to ephemeral aquatic habitats (e.g. Limnephilus auricula and Stenophylax permistus) were recorded at intermittent sites.     

Invertebrate drift,discharge, and sediment relations in a southern Appalachian headwater stream

Drifting invertebrates and suspended sediments were collected at monthly intervals from June 1977 to May 1978. The numbers and biomass of drifting organisms reflected the seasonal cycles of aquatic insects. Some aquatic organisms showed behavioral drift either during a sample day or during some portion of their life cycle. Parapsyche cardis Ross and Diplectrona modesta Banks (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) dispersed as first instar larvae; few later instars of these two net-spinning caddisflies drifted. The drift of nymphal Peltoperla maria Needham et Smith (Plecoptera: Peltoperlidae) was apparently related more to detritus transport than to benthic densities or discharge alone. Power law relations between the magnitude of daily invertebrate drift and discharge or sediment variables are demonstrated for some taxa in Hugh White Creek. The general level of stream invertebrate drift appears to be related to detritus transport, and drift during storms is also related to detritus transport. During storms, terrestrial invertebrate drift was related to rainfall intensity, canopy washing, and channel expansion. Drift density of aquatic invertebrates in Hugh White Creek was within the range of previously reported values for other streams, but the estimate of yearly export (aquatic invertebrates = 134 g · y^?1; terrestrial invertebrates = 23 g · y^?1) is lower reflecting the smaller size of Hugh White Creek in comparison with those other streams.