The food habits and ecology of mayflies of the St. Maries River in Idaho

Publication Type:

Thesis

Authors:

Gilpin, Bobby Rex

Source:

Department of Entomology, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, p.86 (1969)

Call Number:

U69GIL01IDUS

URL:

http://digital.lib.uidaho.edu/cdm/ref/collection/idahowater/id/218

Keywords:

Ameletus, Baetis, Baetis tricaudatus, Centroptilum, Cinygmula sp., Epeorus grandis, Ephemerella, Heptagenia, mayflies, Paraleptophlebia, Parameletus columbiae, Rhithrogena, Siphlonurus, Tricorythodes minutus

Abstract:

In 1967 and 1968, the food habits and ecology were studied for 31 species of mayfly nymphs from the St. Maries River in Idaho. The nymphs were basically herbivores, feeding on variable amounts of detritus, diatoms, and filamentous algae; insects were occasionally consumed. The feeding habits depended largely on the microhabitat of the nymph; e.g., riffle species generally fed more on filamentous algae and diatoms, while pool-inhabiting nymphs fed largely on detritus. Age-class two and three nymphs usually fed on the same relative composition of food. Nymphs of many mayfly species demonstrated similar microhabitat affinities, although the macrohabitats were often dissimilar. Bottom type and current speed were important factors limiting mayfly distribution. A dendrogram was used to correlate station similarities biotically; several diverse habitats supported the same species.