Macroinvertebrate colonization and biofilm development on leaves and wood in a boreal river |
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Authors: | CAROLYN L HAX STEPHEN W GOLLADAY |
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Institution: | Biological Station, University of Oklahoma, Kingston, OK 73439, U.S.A |
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Abstract: | - 1 Biofilms, the accumulation of micro-organisms, exoenzymes, and detritus particles on submerged surfaces, may change the quality of leaves and wood as sources of food and/or habitat for invertebrates. We examined the relationship between macroinvertebrate assemblages and biofilm development on leaves and wood in a boreal river.
- 2 Arrays of white birch ice-cream sticks and sugar maple leaves were placed at fast- and slow-current sites. Samples were collected periodically, and assayed for microbial biomass (ATP, ergosterol, chlorophyll a) and macroinvertebrate colonizers.
- 3 Microbial biomass and macroinvertebrate density were consistently greater on wood than leaves. Taxon richness was similar for all substratum/current combinations, but taxon density (number of taxa m?2) was greater on wood. Macroinvertebrate density and taxon richness correlated with all microbial indicators when data from both substrata were pooled.
- 4 Leaves did not support as great a density of invertebrates as wood perhaps because of their faster breakdown rate and truncated biofilm development. Greater stability and the potential for surface complexity may make wood a site of higher macroinvertebrate diversity than leaves.
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