Insect abundance and colonization rate inFontinalis neo-mexicana(Bryophyta) in an Idaho Batholith stream, U.S.A.
✍ Scribed by M.A. Maurer; M.A. Brusven
- Book ID
- 104615256
- Publisher
- Springer
- Year
- 1983
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 423 KB
- Volume
- 98
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1573-5141
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✦ Synopsis
Insect colonization rate and abundance in the aquatic moss, Fontinalis neo-mexicana were examined in the South Fork Salmon River, Idaho, June 1978-August 1979 to determine the importance of moss as a habitat for insects . The insect communities in moss as well as in the underlying and adjacent mineral substrates were examined . Insects were sampled with a nylon organdy net in moss and with a Hess bottom sampler in mineral substrate .
Insects colonized insect-free moss clumps to carrying capacity within one week . In a man-made stream channel where flow, depth and substrate were controlled, insect densities were 5 to 30 times greater in moss than the mineral substrate ; insect biomass was approximately two times greater. Insect densities in pebble substrates underlying moss and in adjacent mineral substrate were comparable . Moss cover did not appreciably alter insect densities in the underlying hyporheic zone composed of screened pebbles (1-2 cm diameter) . Insect ordinal and functional group composition was greater in moss than in the mineral substrate, however, species richness was similar . Chironomids were the most abundant insects in moss .