Characterization of benthic microhabitat: An experimental system for aquatic insects |
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Authors: | Lewis L Osborne Edwin E Herricks Vahid Alavian |
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Institution: | (1) Dept of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 61801 Urbana, IL, U.S.A.;(2) Dept of Civil Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 61801 Urbana, IL, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | An experimental system used to determine microhabitat current velocity and microhabitat selection by aquatic insects is described. The experimental system includes a microvelocity probe and a hydraulically calibrated artificial substrate. A thermistor velocity probe detects flow velocities to 0.5 m s–1 near the surface of substrates at locations inhabited by aquatic insects. The artificial substrate was designed to provide two major habitat types, highly turbulent vortex areas and regions with unidirectional, near laminar flow. Substrate calibration and microhabitat characteristics of the substrates are demonstrated. Experimental studies of Simulium sp. location on substrates indicated that while simuliid larvae are characteristic of lotic, erosional habitats, actual microhabitats selected are governed by substantially lower flow velocity. |
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Keywords: | current velocity reynolds number aquatic insects Simuliidae microhabitat artificial substrate |
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