两种相手蟹对不同红树植物叶片取食的偏好性

大型底栖动物是红树林生态系统中重要的消费者,在红树林的营养物质转化和能量传递过程中具有重要作用。通过设置室内模拟饲喂实验,研究了华南沿海红树林大型底栖动物的常见种--无齿相手蟹(Sesarma dehaani)和双齿相手蟹(S.bidens)对外来红树植物无瓣海桑(Sonneratia apetala)和乡土红树植物秋茄(Kandelia obovata)、桐花树(Aegiceras corniculatum)凋落叶片的取食特性。结果表明,随着淋溶作用的进行,各树种叶片中单宁含量和C/N均逐渐降低,两个数值的变化幅度以秋茄叶片最大,分别达(45.85±7.74)g·kg-1和11.24%,无瓣海桑为(45.15±11.14)g·kg-1和2.43%,桐花树则为(18.75±15.15)g·kg-1和-1.36%。随着叶片中单宁含量和C/N的降低,两种相手蟹的取食量相应地呈逐渐上升的趋势,双齿相手蟹从3.097g到10.079g和无齿相手蟹则从2.480g到8.723g。两种相手蟹种间的取食特性差异不显著(P0.05),但对不同树种的取食上却存在显著差异,其中对桐花树的取食偏好性显著差于无瓣海桑和秋茄(P0.01),这主要与桐花树叶片的高单宁含量和低营养价值有关。研究结论说明大面积引种外来物种无瓣海桑将可能对华南沿海红树林生态系统的食物链结构产生潜在影响,并为红树林的生态恢复和科学造林提供了参考。     

Growth and energetics of a trichopteran larva feeding on fresh submerged and terrestrial plants

We studied the growth and assimilation of larvae of Anabolia nervosa, a lotic trichopteran shredder, on diets of fresh tissue of the submerged macrophyte Potamogeton perfoliatus and fresh leaves of the trees Alnus glutinosa and Fagus sylvatica. Fifth-instar larvae were fed these three diets for 23 days (20 May–12 June) in the laboratory. Instantaneous growth rate and gross growth efficiency were almost the same for larvae fed Potamogeton and Alnus, but lower for larvae fed Fagus. The larvae consumed 3 times more fresh Potamogeton than Alnus leaves, but the same amounts in terms of dry mass. The consumption of fresh Fagus was initially twice that of the two other food items but dropped rapidly during the experiment, following the marked seasonal decline of leaf nitrogen content. Allocation patterns of fat and protein differed among food sources. Larvae grown on Alnus accumulated more fat than larvae grown on Potamogeton, while the reverse was true for protein accumulation. The assimilation efficiency based on carbon units was the same (44%) for all three food items and was among the highest reported for shredding caddis larvae. The study demonstrates that fresh tissue of Potamogeton perfoliatus provides a valuable food source to the facultative shredder herbivore Anabolia nervosa.     

Food quality, feeding preferences, survival and growth of shredders from temperate and tropical streams

1. The importance of leaf quality to the nutritional ecology of lotic shredders is well established for temperate species but virtually unknown for tropical taxa. In the present study, we compared the feeding behaviour and performance of two tropical and two temperate shredders in a series of pair‐wise experiments. 2. Specifically, we tested whether leaf conditioning status (stream‐conditioned versus unconditioned leaves) and geographical origin (temperate Alnus glutinosa versus tropical Hura crepitans leaves) affect the food preference, survivorship, and growth of selected shredders from low and high latitudes in a consistent manner. The animals used in experiments were the caddis‐flies Nectopsyche argentata and Phylloicus priapulus from Venezuela, Sericostoma vittatum from Central Portugal, and the amphipod Gammarus pulex from Northern Germany. 3. In general, all shredders exhibited the same high preference for conditioned over unconditioned leaves, irrespective of the geographical origin of the leaf or shredder species. 4. A corresponding tendency for higher growth was found for sets of animals offered conditioned leaves, with the differences in growth being clearer in the two tropical shredders. Survivorship of the two temperate species was consistently high (> 83%) regardless of the diet offered, whereas the tropical shredders survived better on conditioned (77–90%) as compared with unconditioned (54–87%) leaves, although not significantly so. 5. With the exception of the temperate S. vittatum, shredders did not select or perform better on leaves to which they had previously been exposed, indicating a potential adaptation to native leaf species is over‐ridden by intrinsic leaf properties. 6. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that tropical shredders may exhibit the same basic patterns of food exploitation as their temperate counterparts. Consequently, current concepts relating to the role of shredders in stream detritus dynamics may well be applicable to tropical streams, although essentially derived from temperate systems.     

Feeding tests with caddis larvae (Insecta: Trichoptera) and amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda) on Platanus orientalis (Platanaceae) and other leaf litter

In the southern parts of the Mediterranean region, as in the island of Crete, there are few species of riparian trees and shrubs among the dominant Platanus orientalis. Feeding tests have shown that leaves of Platanus are not eaten by aquatic shredders of continental and Cretean origin. The large quantities of organic matter are therefore not used as a source of food and energy by the stream communities. In addition, the high winter flow shortly after leaf fall, and the short courses of rivers result in loss of most of the leaf litter to the sea. The River Continuum Concept does therefore not apply to this region. Field observations have shown that amphipods and limnephilid larvae are shifting from shredding to scraping habits if no leaf litter except Platanus was available.     

Influence of method of presentation on results of plant-host preference tests with two species of grasshopper

Leaf material of two Piper spp. (Piperaceae) was presented to two different generalist herbivores (Orthoptera: Acrididae) to determine whether method of leaf presentation in preference trials affects choice. For the grasshopper Leptomerinthoprora brevipennis, the method of presentation had no effect on preference ranking: more of Piper sancti-felicis was eaten than of P. arieianum, regardless of whether leaf material was presented as leaf disks, whole leaves supplemented with water, or whole leaves without water. In contrast, preference of the grasshopper Abracis flavolineata depended on presentation method. In that case, whole leaves of P. scancti-felicis supplemented with water were preferred over the same of P. arieianum, while dry weight consumption of leaf disks of P. arieianum was greater than that for disks of P. sancti-felicis. When presented with leaves not supplemented with water, A. flavolineata showed no significant preference for one plant species over another.

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Résumé Des feuilles provenant de deux espèces de Piper (Piperacae) ont été proposées à deux Orthoptères, Acrididae, herbivores généralistes, pour déterminer si la méthode de présentation des feuilles modifiait le choix. Pour Leptomerinthoprora brevipennis, la méthode de présentation est sans influence sur l'ordre de préférence; la consommation de Piper sancti-felicis est toujours supérieure à celle de P. arieianum, quelque soit le mode de présentation: disques de feuilles, feuilles entières humidifiées, ou feuilles entières sans addition d'eau. A l'opposé, l'ordre de préférence de Abracis flavolineata dépend du type de présentation; les feuilles entières humidifiées de P. sancti-felicis sont préférées à celles de P. arieianum proposées de la même façon, tandis que la consommation de disques secs de P. arieianum est plus importante que celle des disques secs de P. sancti-felicis. En présence de feuilles entières humidifiées, A. flavolineata ne manifeste aucune préférence.

     

Feeding preference of the rice stink bug on annual grasses and sedges

Adults of the rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.), preferred panicles of vasey grass, Paspalum urvillei Steud., over those of 11 species of other grasses and one species of sedge (Cyperus) associated with cultivated rice, Oryza sativa (L.). The number of feeding adults increased approximately 2 times from 1 h post-infestation (PI) to 6 h PI. The number of feeding females was greater than males at 1 h PI but no different at 6 h PI. Both sexes fed significantly (P<0.05) more on O. sativa panicles than on P. urvillei panicles at 6 h PI. Both sexes also fed significantly (P<0.05) more on 28 and 21 cm long O. sativa panicles than on 7 cm long panicles, but no such differences existed in feeding among P. urvillei panicles.

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Résumé Les adultes d'Oebalus pugnax F. ont préféré les panicules de Paspalum urivillei Stend à celles de 11 autres Graminées et 1 Cypéracée associées au riz cultivé, Oryza sativa L. Le nombre d'adultes s'alimentant a cru environ 2 fois de la lère (1P1) à la 6ème (6P1) heure ayant suivi l'infestation. Le nombre de femelles s'alimentant était supérieur à celui des mâles 1 heure après (1P1), mais ne présentait pas de différence 6 h après l'infestation (6P1). Les 2 sexes s'alimentaient significativement plus (P< 0.05) sur les panicules d'O. sativa que sur celles de P. urvillei 6 heures après l'infestation (6P1). Les 2 sexes se sont alimentés significativement plus (P< 0,05) sur des panicules d'O. sativa de 28 et 21 cm que sur ceux de 7 cm, mais aucune différence n'était observée dans l'alimentation sur les panicules de P. urvillei.

     

Effects of light and nutrient availability on the growth,allocation, carbon/nitrogen balance,phenolic chemistry,and resistance to herbivory of two freshwater macrophytes

Phenotypic responses of Potamogeton amplifolius and Nuphar advena to different light (7% and 35% of surface irradiance) and nutrient environments were assessed with field manipulation experiments. Higher light and nutrient availability enhanced the growth of P. amplifolius by 154% and 255%, respectively. Additionally, biomass was allocated differently depending on the resource: high light availability resulted in a higher root/shoot ratio, whereas high nutrient availability resulted in a lower root/shoot ratio. Low light availability and high nutrient availability increased the nitrogen content of leaf tissue by 53% and 40% respectively, resulting in a 37% and 31% decrease in the C/N ratio. Root nitrogen content was also increased by low light and high nutrient availability, by 50% (P=0.0807) and 77% respectively, resulting in a 20% and 40% decrease in root C/N ratio. Leaf phenolics were significantly increased 72% by high light and 31% by high nutrient availability, but root phenolic concentrations were not altered significantly. None of these changes in tissue constituents resulted in altered palatability to crayfish. N. advena was killed by the same high nutrient treatment that stimulated growth in P. amplifolius, preventing assessment of phenotypic responses to nutrient availability. However, high light availability increased overall growth by 24%, but this was mainly due to increased growth of the rhizome (increased 100%), resulting in a higher root/shoot ratio. High light tended to increase the production of floating leaves (P=0.09) and significantly decreased the production of submersed leaves. High light availability decreased the nitrogen content by 15% and 25% and increased the phenolic concentration by 88% and 255% in floating and submersed leaves, respectively. These differences in leaf traits did not result in detectable differences in damage by herbivores.     

Pollen beetle (Meligethes aeneus) oviposition and feeding preference on different host plant species

The oviposition and feeding preferences of the pollen beetle, Meligethes aeneus, were determined in choice and no-choice tests in field, semi-field and greenhouse trials. Plant species used were Brassica napus, B. campestris, B. juncea, B. nigra, B. carinata, Sinapis alba and Crambe abyssinica. With respect to number of eggs laid, S. alba and C. abyssinica were inferior to the other species. Pollen beetles laid fewer eggs on B. nigra than on the other Brassica spp. in no-choice tests, however this difference was partly due to fewer eggs laid per bud rather than fewer buds used for oviposition. Most eggs, for all plant species, were deposited in buds sized 2–3 mm. Feeding damage on all plant species was relatively similar. Pollen beetles seem to have a wider host range for feeding than for oviposition. There was good agreement in plant species ranking as oviposition hosts between the field, semi-field and greenhouse trials.     

Habitat preference,food habits and growth of juveniles ofLates angustifrons andLates mariae (Pisces: Centropomidae) in Lake Tanganyika

Habitat preference of juveniles ofLates angustifrons andLates mariae, endemic fish species in Lake Tanganyika, was investigated in the field and in the laboratory. Both species settle on the grass bed after the post-larval pelagic phase.L. angustifrons preferred the short grass bed composed ofVallismeria sp., whileL. mariae preferred the tall grass bed composed ofPotamogeton schweinfurthii. L. angustifrons always rested near the root, keeping a position parallel to the bottom; dark cross bands on the body may be advantageous as camouflage in the short grass bed. On the other hand,L. mariae always stayed in mid-water, keeping a head-down position parallel to a leaf or stem of grass; such posture and longitudinal stripes on the body may be advantageous as camouflage in the tall grass bed. Both species were more active at night, and fed mainly on atyid shrimps.Lates angustifrons shifted its main food from shrimps to fish with growth, as was suggested inL. mariae. Difference in the habitat preference may play an important role in their coexistence.     

Leaf traits induce the feeding preference of a shredder of the genus Triplectides Kolenati, 1859 (Trichoptera) in an Atlantic Forest stream,Brazil: a test with native and exotic leaves

This study assessed the feeding preference of larvae of Triplectides sp. (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae) exposed to leaves of native (Hoffmannia dusenii Standley, 1931) and exotic (Eucalyptus globulus Labillardiere, 1799) trees. We hypothesized that, regardless of the origin of the leaves, larval preference is determined mainly by leaf anatomy and quality. Leaves from both species were conditioned with and without nutrient enrichment (NPK), and the four food items were offered in paired combinations to 162 larvae. Larval preference varied according to leaf combinations. In treatments containing both species, larvae preferred to feed on H. dusenii because of softer tissues and anatomical structure. The only exception was the treatment containing discs of enriched E. globulus and non-enriched H. dusenii where enhanced microbial activity on enriched leaves provided a softer resource to shredders. Our results corroborate the initial hypothesis and suggest that introduction of exotic leaves and changes in nutrient availability may affect shredder activity in streams and, consequently, organic-matter processing and ecosystem functioning.     

Diet-induced food preference by Manduca sexta larvae: acceptable non-host plants elicit a stronger induction than host plants

Diet-induced changes in food preference by fifth instar larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (Johan.) (Lepidoptera, Sphingidae), were examined. Two groups of larvae with different diet experience were used: larvae reared on a host or on an acceptable non-host plant species. Each group of larvae was offered a choice between leaf discs from each rearing plant species (2-plant choice test) and food preference was measured as the consumption of one plant species relative to that of the other plant species. Diet-induced changes in preferences were larger with the host versus acceptable non-host plant pairs Solanum pseudocapsicum (L.) versus Raphanus sativus (L.), Lycopersicon esculentum (Mill.) versus Vigna sinensis (Savi), and Datura innoxia (L.) versus V. sinensis than with the host versus host plant pairs L. esculentum versus Capsicum annuum (L.) and L. esculentum versus D. innoxia. To examine how much the food preference had been altered for each test plant species alone, two other groups of larvae were offered a choice between leaf discs from a single plant species and filter paper discs laced with distilled water (1-plant choice test). Larvae preferred the dietary plant species more strongly than the non-dietary plant species in tests using the following plant species: for C. annuum with C. annuum and L. esculentum as diets, for V. sinensis with V. sinensis and L. esculentum or D. innoxia as diets, and for R. sativus with R. sativus and S. pseudocapsicum as diets. The preference for the hosts L. esculentum and D. innoxia did not change significantly after rearing larvae on different hosts or on an acceptable non-host. Thus, diet-induction by M. sexta larvae results in an enhancement of preference for the dietary plant species which is much stronger with acceptable non-hosts than with hosts.     

Microfungi from decaying leaves of two rain forest trees in Puerto Rico

Fungal species richness and abundance were compared in leaf litter of two tree species,Guarea guidonia andManilkara bidentata, in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico. Four litter samples yielded a total of 3337 isolates, ranging from 591 to 1259 isolates/sample. The number of species/sample ranged from 134 to 228. Many uncommon litter hyphomycetes were recovered as well as coelomycetes, sterile strains, endophytes, and phytopathogens. Species-abundance distributions revealed a typical pattern of a few abundant species and a high proportion of rare species. Similarities in fungal species composition were not correlated with host species or with the site. Replicate samples examined by the moist chamber technique yielded a total of 24 species among the four litter samples. The particle filtration method indicated that leaves ofG. guidonia were more species-rich, while moist chambers indicated leaves ofM. bidentata were more species-rich. The moist chamber technique underestimated the number and species of viable fungi.     

Food preference and performance of the larvae of a specialist herbivore: variation among and within host-plant populations

Specialist herbivores are suggested to be unaffected by or attracted to the defense compounds of their host-plants, and can even prefer higher levels of certain chemicals. Abrostola asclepiadis is a specialist herbivore whose larvae feed on the leaves of Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, which contains toxic alkaloids and is unpalatable to most generalist herbivores. The food choice, leaf consumption and growth of A. asclepiadis larvae were studied to determine whether there is variation among and within host-plant populations in their suitability for this specialist herbivore. There was significant variation in food preference and leaf consumption among host-plant populations, but no differences were found in larval growth and feeding on different host-plant populations. A. asclepiadis larvae preferred host-plant populations with higher alkaloid concentrations, but did not consume more leaf material from plants originating from such populations in a no-choice experiment. There was also some variation in food preference of larvae among host-plant individuals belonging to the same population, suggesting that there was variability in leaf chemistry also within populations. Such variation in larval preference among host-plant genotypes and populations may create potential for coevolutionary dynamics in a spatial mosaic.     

The functional response and preference ofMacrolophus caliginosus [Heteroptera: Miridae] for two of its prey:Myzus persicae andTetranychus urticae

Functional response studies of females ofMacrolophus caliginosus Wagner for 2 prey speciesMyzus persicae Sulzer andTetranychus urticae Koch showedHolling's type II response (1959). Estimations of handling time (Th) and attack rate (a) obtained for the aphid (Th=.055 day; a=1.035) and for the mite (Th=.025 day; a=.947) enabled the development of a mathematical model which describes the predation rate on the 2 prey simultaneously. This mirid shows a sharp preference for aphids over mites.

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Résumé L'étude en laboratoire des réponses fonctionnelles des femelles adultes deMacrolophus caliginosus Wagner vis-à-vis des deux proiesMyzus persicae Sulzer etTetranychus urticae Koch montre dans les 2 cas une réponse de type II deHolling (1959). L'estimation du temps de manipulation (Th) et du taux d'attaque instantané (a) pour l'aphide (Th=.055 jour; a=1.035) et pour l'acarien (Th=.025 jour; a=.947) permet d'établir un modèle mathématique décrivant la prédation sur les 2 proies présentes simultanément et de préciser ainsi, au regard des résultats expérimentaux, l'existence d'une préférence du miride pour le puceronM. persicae.

     

Food availability and growth rate in natural populations of the brown trout (Salmo trutta) in Corsican streams

The rivers of the island of Corsica, whose catchment areas are on crystalline rock, have low salt contents and their invertebrate fauna is qualitatively and quantitatively poorer than on the European mainland. The growth rate of trout in Corsica was analysed on samples from of six coastal rivers: the Tavignano, the Fium Orbo and the Golo on the west coast, the Prunelli, the Taravo and the Rizzanese on the east coast. Mesological data — conductivity, temperature, calcium content and altitude and biological data — biomass and linear growth rate of the trout, and density of benthic invertebrates — were collected at each of the sampling station.Analysis of variance of the size of three year old trout revealed three groups of rivers. The first includes the Tavignano, the Rizzanese and the Taravo, where the highest linear growth rates were recorded; the second consists of the Golo and the Prunelli, and the third, of the Fium Orbo. Principal component analysis gave two main axes on the basis of temperature and benthic invertebrate density for the first, and trout biomass for the second. Linear regression showed that benthic invertebrate density accounted for 75% of size variance of three year old trout. Evidence of the limiting role of the trophic factor is provided.     

Effects of feeding level and body size on food utilization of the freshwater snail Pila globosa

Food supply caused an increase in the overall energy budget of all size groups of Pila globosa. Feeding rate increased from 3.4 to 28.7, 2.0 to 19.1 and 0.2 to 7.2 mg/g/day in young, intermediate and old snails respectively. The corresponding increase in body weight (growth rate) ranged from 1.3 to 2.7, 0.5 to 1.5 and 0.4 to 0.5 mg/g/day. When compared with the other two groups, maximum values were recorded for young P. globosa, i.e. an increase in size (ageing) caused a decrease in the energy budget. Data obtained for the maintenance, optimum and maximum feeding rates for the young P. globosa were 12.0, 22.0 and 28.8 mg/g/day. The corresponding values for the intermediate and old snails were 7.4, 14.0 and 19.0 mg/g/day and 4.1, 5.6 and 7.2 mg/g/day. With the increase in body weight, a progressive reduction in the slope of the regression lines was noticed in the body weight-conversion rate relationship.Paper presented in the first Indian Conference on Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur (1980).     

其它可利用食物对小花宽瓣黄堇(Corydalis giraldii Fedde)种子散布的影响

作为蚁播植物种子的重要传播者,蚂蚁不但取食种子上附着的油质体,也喜食其它富含蛋白质、脂类、糖和维生素等的食物,因此环境中其它可利用食物的存在可能会影响蚂蚁对种子的搬运进而影响种子散布,但目前对于这种影响是如何发生的仍不清楚。在野外研究了蚂蚁对小花宽瓣黄堇(Corydalis giraldii Fedde)种子、肉、蜂蜜、苹果、馒头等食物的趋性和偏好程度,以及添加食物后蚂蚁对种子的拜访频率和搬运效率,以揭示其它可利用食物如何影响蚂蚁觅食和取食偏好,进而影响小花宽瓣黄堇种子散布。结果显示,在所诱捕的8种蚂蚁中,玉米毛蚁(Lasius alienus(Foerster))和丝光蚁(Formica fusca Linnaeus)是小花宽瓣黄堇种子的主要搬运者,不同食物诱捕的玉米毛蚁数量无显著性差异(P0.05),但蜂蜜和苹果诱捕的丝光蚁数量均显著大于种子(P0.05)。玉米毛蚁和丝光蚁均为杂食性,在觅食中分别行使群体募集和简单协作性募集。在仅有种子的对照处理中,玉米毛蚁和丝光蚁对种子的拜访频率分别为(38.73±4.57)头和(30.8±2.87)头(40min,n=15),两种蚂蚁对种子的拜访频率差异不显著(P0.05);玉米毛蚁和丝光蚁搬运种子的效率分别为(33.87±4.22)粒和(16.27±3.35)粒(40min,n=15),玉米毛蚁的搬运效率显著高于丝光蚁(P0.05)。与对照相比,添加馒头、苹果和蜂蜜后丝光蚁对种子的拜访频率显著降低(P0.05),分别为(15.6±3.61)头、(9.07±1.4)头和(7.67±1.58)头(40min,n=15);添加苹果和蜂蜜后丝光蚁对种子的搬运效率显著降低(P0.05),分别为(3.47±1.17)粒和(2.87±0.9)粒(40min,n=15);添加不同食物后玉米毛蚁对种子的拜访频率和搬运效率均无显著变化(P0.05)。研究结果表明行使群体募集的玉米毛蚁比行使简单协作募集的丝光蚁有更高的种子搬运效率,添加食物后影响丝光蚁对种子的拜访频率和搬运效率,这说明其它可利用食物对小花宽瓣黄堇种子散布的影响与搬运蚂蚁的种类及其觅食的募集方式有关。研究结果可为进一步研究蚂蚁与植物(种子)间的互利共生关系及其影响因素提供资料。     

Instar sizes,life cycles,and food habits of five Rhyacophila (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae) species from the Appalachian Mountains of South Carolina,U.S.A.

The larval head widths at each instar, life cycles, and food habits of late instars were determined for five species of Rhyacophila from two Appalachian mountain streams in South Carolina, U.S.A. Rhyacophila acutiloba Morse & Ross was univoltine with two cohorts, one emerging in the spring and another presumably emerging in early autumn. Rhyacophila fuscula (Walker), R. nigrita Banks, and R. carolina Banks were apparently multicohort, univoltine species with extended flight periods. Rhyacophila minor Banks was univoltine with a spring emergence. All species were predaceous and consumed mainly Plecoptera nymphs and Trichoptera larvae.     

Seasonal dynamics of macroinvertebrate assemblages in the benthos and associated with detritus packs in two low-order streams with different riparian vegetation

• 1 The seasonal dynamics of the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage, and the subset of this assemblage colonising naturally formed detritus accumulations, was investigated in two streams in south‐west Ireland, one draining a conifer plantation (Streamhill West) and the other with deciduous riparian vegetation (Glenfinish). The streams differed in the quantity, quality and diversity of allochthonous detritus and in hydrochemistry, the conifer stream being more acid at high discharge. We expected the macroinvertebrate assemblage colonising detritus to differ in the two streams, due to differences in the diversity and quantity of detrital inputs.
• 2 Benthic density and taxon richness did not differ between the two streams, but the density of shredders was greater in the conifer stream, where there was a greater mass of benthic detritus. There was a significant positive correlation between shredder density and detritus biomass in both streams over the study period.
• 3 Detritus packs in the deciduous stream were colonised by a greater number of macroinvertebrates and taxa than in the conifer stream, but packs in both streams had a similar abundance of shredders. The relative abundance of taxa colonising detritus packs was almost always significantly different to that found in the source pool of the benthos.
• 4 Correspondence analysis illustrated that there were distinct faunal differences between the two streams overall and seasonally within each stream. Differences between the streams were related to species tolerances to acid episodes in the conifer stream. Canonical correspondence analysis demonstrated a distinct seasonal pattern in the detrital composition of the packs and a corresponding seasonal pattern in the structure of the detritus pack macroinvertebrate assemblage.
• 5 Within‐stream seasonal variation both in benthic and detritus pack assemblages and in detrital inputs was of similar magnitude to the between‐stream variation. The conifer stream received less and poorer quality detritus than the deciduous stream, yet it retained more detritus and had more shredders in the benthos. This apparent contradiction may be explained by the influence of hydrochemistry (during spate events) on the shredder assemblage, by differences in riparian vegetation between the two streams, and possibly by the ability of some taxa to exhibit more generalist feeding habits and thus supplement their diets in the absence of high quality detritus.

     

Prey preference and feeding capacity of the larvae ofAblattaria arenaria [Coleoptera: Silphidae], a snail predator

The larval stages ofAblattaria arenaria were provided with 4 different snail species:Monacha syriaca (Ehrenberg),Xeropicta derbentina (Krynicki),Candidula sp., andZebrina eburnea (Pfeiffer) to determine if the prey species affected developmental time and food preference of larvae. Functional response of each larval stage ofA. arenaria was also tested for increasing density ofX. derbentina, the most common prey species found in association withA. arenaria locally. The developmental time of each larval stage did not show any statistical difference when fed with different snail species. The total developmental time from egg hatch to adult emergence was 19.0, 19.1, 18.0 and 21.4 days for prey speciesM. syriaca, X. derbentina, Candidula sp., andZ. eburnea, respectively. When prey was offered to larvae either as a single species or as combination of several species,M. syriaca was the most preferred. The prey least consumed wasCandula sp. when prey was given separately, andZ. eburnea was least preferred when other prey species were present in the arena. The 3^rd larval stage did not eat anyZ. eburnea if other prey species were present. The amount of prey consumed by the 1^st larval stage did not show any statistical differences with increasing density ofX. derbentina. But the response of 2^nd and 3^rd larval stages was very similar to each other although the amount of prey they consumed was very different. They both showed a rapid increase in consumption rate at early densities, then a negatively but slowly accelerated rise to plateaus at higher densities, a type-2 functional response curve. All larval stages were very sensitive to starvation. Mortality started after the 2^nd day, and all individuals of all larval stages were dead by the 5^th day.