Effects of Notonecta glauca predation on Cyphon larvae (Coleoptera: Scirtidae) populations in small, seasonal ponds

Jeffries, Mike (1996) Effects of Notonecta glauca predation on Cyphon larvae (Coleoptera: Scirtidae) populations in small, seasonal ponds. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 136 (3). pp. 413-420. ISSN 0003-9136

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Abstract

Aquatic Cyphon (Coleoptera: Scirtidae) larvae are characteristic inhabitants of small, seasonal ponds across a wetland at Aberlady Bay, Scotland, UK, but not found in adjacent, large permanent ponds. This distribution may be an example of the use of spatial refugia to escape abundant invertebrate predators found in large ponds. Notonecta glauca is a regular component of the permanent waters but erratic colonist of the small seasonal ponds. The surface dwelling habit, activity and lack of intrinsic defences of Cyphon larvae make them very vulnerable to N. glauca. N. glauca was added to seven of the small, seasonal ponds and numbers of Cyphon larvae in these treatment ponds were monitored and compared to those in six control ponds. By the end of the experiment Cyphon numbers in treatment ponds were reduced by more than 50% compared to controls, despite differences in pond hydrology, position, vegetation and other fauna present across replicates, suggesting that predation is an ecologically important process affecting the distribution of Cyphon larvae.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	C100 Biology F800 Physical and Terrestrial Geographical and Environmental Sciences
Department:	Faculties > Engineering and Environment > Geography and Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Becky Skoyles
Date Deposited:	17 Feb 2015 12:09
Last Modified:	02 Apr 2020 07:26
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/18817

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