Hydrobiology

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15 pages, 2257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Leaf Species and Conditioning State of Fresh Leaves on Colonization by Stream and Pond Macroinvertebrates

by Austin R. Hoffman and Erika V. Iyengar

Hydrobiology 2024, 3(2), 85-99; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrobiology3020007 - 03 May 2024

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Fresh, green leaves are increasing as resources in aquatic ecosystems due to more frequent severe spring and summer storms, but research on allochthonous resources typically uses senescent leaves. We examined macroinvertebrate colonization of green leaves of three native deciduous trees (red maple, red [...] Read more.

Fresh, green leaves are increasing as resources in aquatic ecosystems due to more frequent severe spring and summer storms, but research on allochthonous resources typically uses senescent leaves. We examined macroinvertebrate colonization of green leaves of three native deciduous trees (red maple, red oak, and tulip poplar) over two weeks within both a stream and fishless pond. Leaf colonization varied depending on the taxa of leaves and colonizers, submersion time, and the ecosystem examined. Within the stream, the densities of isopods (Lirceus sp.) and snails (mostly the invasive Potamopyrgus antipodarum) did not vary significantly across leaf species. In contrast, mayflies (Tricorythodes sp.) in the stream colonized tulip poplar in greater numbers than red oak leaves, while higher densities of planarians (order Tricladida) occurred within red oak leaves. The numbers of mayflies and snails decreased significantly by the second week, but the densities of isopods and planaria within stream leaf packs were consistent. In contrast, within the pond, significantly more isopods (Caecidotea communis) were collected after the first than after the second week of submersion and in tulip poplar leaves. Clams (Sphaeriidae) in the pond, on the other hand, were more prevalent in the second week but did not discriminate among leaf species. While the number of leeches (mostly Helobdella stagnalis) was consistent across weeks, significantly fewer leeches resided within tulip poplar leaves than within red oak leaves. Our results suggest that there are no consistent colonization-preference rankings of species of fresh leaves across freshwater benthic macroinvertebrate taxa. Even within a functional feeding group (e.g., the two types of isopods and snails, all detritivore-herbivores), there were differences in colonization patterns. Therefore, increased allochthonous inputs of fresh leaf litter due to severe spring- and summer-time storms are likely to promote the populations of various taxa to different extents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Disturbance in Small Streams)

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11 pages, 849 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Species of Leaves and Conditioning Time on Vernal Colonization by Temperate Lotic Isopods (Lirceus sp.)

by Renee E. Heller, Alison N. Stouffer and Erika V. Iyengar

Hydrobiology 2024, 3(2), 63-73; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrobiology3020005 - 19 Apr 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 321

Abstract

While some streams have dense populations of aquatic detritivorous isopods, research on the colonization of leaf packs typically focuses on aquatic insects. To determine whether shifts in dominant local forest species might impact isopod populations, we placed leaf packs of red/sugar maple, American [...] Read more.

While some streams have dense populations of aquatic detritivorous isopods, research on the colonization of leaf packs typically focuses on aquatic insects. To determine whether shifts in dominant local forest species might impact isopod populations, we placed leaf packs of red/sugar maple, American beech, and red oak on the substratum of riffles and pools in Cedar Creek (Allentown, PA, USA) in April 2019. We retrieved the packs after one week, re-deployed them, and re-collected them after two weeks of submersion, enumerating the number of isopods (Lirceus sp.) upon each retrieval. Surprisingly, neither the species of leaf nor the stream microhabitat significantly affected the number of isopods. However, the duration of leaf conditioning was important; significantly more isopods inhabited leaves after two weeks of submersion than after only one week. Maple and oak leaves displayed significantly more skeletonization after two weeks than the beech leaves, which remained intact. However, the similar numbers of isopods across leaf species suggest either the presence of acceptable, consumable microbial communities on all three species of leaves or that a tradeoff exists between the value of food and the importance of refuge provided by intact leaves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Disturbance in Small Streams)

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12 pages, 1173 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Population Status of the Tropical Freshwater Shrimp Xiphocaris elongata in Urban and Forest Streams in Puerto Rico

by Wesley X. Torres-Perez and Omar Perez-Reyes

Hydrobiology 2023, 2(1), 277-288; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/hydrobiology2010018 - 17 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1784

Abstract

Most of the human population lives in cities, and understanding their impact on freshwater environments is essential. Streams in cities face many environmental challenges that have been described in the concept of Urban Stream Syndrome. This concept illustrates urban streams’ biological, hydrological, chemical, [...] Read more.

Most of the human population lives in cities, and understanding their impact on freshwater environments is essential. Streams in cities face many environmental challenges that have been described in the concept of Urban Stream Syndrome. This concept illustrates urban streams’ biological, hydrological, chemical, and physical stressors. In tropical streams, these stressors impact shrimp, fish, insects, and other macroinvertebrates that inhabit the freshwater ecosystems. Freshwater shrimp are vulnerable to urban activities, physical, chemical, and ecological impacts. For this reason, these organisms have been used as biological indicators of stream health in the tropics. The shredder shrimp Xiphocaris elongata plays a fundamental role in the organic matter process and decomposition. The objectives of this study were to characterize the population of X. elongata and to identify differences in the abundance of X. elongata between urban and forest streams. Our results showed that highly urbanized areas have a significantly lower abundance of the shredder shrimp X. elongata than medium or low urban reach in the urban and forested watersheds. This study also showed that physicochemical and geomorphological variables are important environmental factors that influence the abundance of X. elongata in Puerto Rican streams. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Disturbance in Small Streams)

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