Flow velocity tolerance of lowland stream caddisfly larvae (Trichoptera)

• Published in: Aquatic sciences Vol. 79; no. 3; pp. 419 - 425
• Main Authors: de Brouwer, J. H. F., Besse-Lototskaya, A. A., ter Braak, C. J. F., Kraak, M. H. S., Verdonschot, P. F. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-07-2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal populations; Animal reproduction; Aquatic insects; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Creeks & streams; Drift; Ecology; Flow velocity; Flumes; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; High flow; Invertebrates; Larvae; Life Sciences; Lowland streams; Macroinvertebrates; Marine & Freshwater Sciences; Oceanography; Probability theory; Research Article; Return rates; Rivers; Species; Streams; Trichoptera; Velocity; Zoobenthos; Return rates; Lowland streams; Flow velocity; Drift; Trichoptera
• ISSN: 1015-1621; 1420-9055
• DOI: 10.1007/s00027-016-0507-y

The process of macroinvertebrate drift in streams is characterized by dislodgement, drift distance and subsequent return to the bottom. While dislodgement is well studied, the fate of drifting organisms is poorly understood, especially concerning Trichoptera. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the ability of six case-building Trichoptera species to return to the stream bottom under different flow velocity conditions in a laboratory flume. The selected species occur in North-West European sandy lowland streams along a gradient from lentic to lotic environments. We determined species specific probability curves for both living and dead (control) specimens to return to the bottom from drift at different flow velocities and established species specific return rates. Species on the lotic end of the gradient had highest return rates at high flow velocity and used active behaviour most efficiently to return to the bottom from drift. The observed gradient of flow velocity tolerance and species specific abilities to settle from drift indicate that, in addition to dislodgement, the process of returning to the bottom is of equal importance in determining flow velocity tolerance of Trichoptera species.