Occurrence of chironomid larvae living inside fallen-fruits in Atlantic Forest streams, Brasil

Occurrence of chironomid larvae living inside fallen-fruits in Atlantic Forest streams, Brazil - The Chironomidae larvae explore a wide variety of habitats and kinds of food. In this study we reported the use of fallen-fruits by chironomid larvae in low order streams in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We found chironomid larvae mining fruit tissue of 12 tree species. Seven morphospecies of Endotribelos were identified, including the species E. albatum and E. grodhaus found for the first time in Brazil. Our results suggest that larvae of Endotribelos are the commonest insect group living inside fallen-fruits in streams.

[1]  S. Trivinho-Strixino,et al.  Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Streams of the Jaragua State Park (Southeast of Brazil) Considering Multiple Spatial Scales , 2003, Journal of Insect Conservation.

[2]  Ângela M. Sanseverino,et al.  Hábitats de larvas de Chironomidae (Insecta, Diptera) em riachos de Mata Atlântica no Estado do Rio de Janeiro , 2001 .

[3]  M. Pizo,et al.  The Use of Fruits and Seeds by Ants in the Atlantic Forest of Southeast Brazil1 , 2000 .

[4]  L. Morellato,et al.  Introduction: The Brazilian Atlantic Forest1 , 2000 .

[5]  K. Sonoda,et al.  Phytophilous chironomidae (Diptera) and other macroinvertebrates in the ox-bow Infernão Lake (Jatai Ecological Station, Luiz Antonio, SP, Brazil). , 2000, Revista brasileira de biologia.

[6]  M. Galetti,et al.  Frugivory by Toucans (Ramphastidae) at Two Altitudes in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil1 , 2000 .

[7]  C. Haddad,et al.  Introduction: The Brazilian Atlantic Forest1 , 2000 .

[8]  J. Nessimian,et al.  Habitat preferences of Chironomidae larvae in an upland stream of Atlantic Forest, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil , 1998 .

[9]  S. Trivinho-Strixino,et al.  CHIRONOMIDAE (DIPTERA) ASSOCIADOS A TRONCOS DE ARVORES SUBMERSOS , 1998 .

[10]  F. Reiss,et al.  Catalog and bibliography of Neotropical and Mexican Chironomidae lInsectac Dipterar , 1996 .

[11]  M. Berg.  Larval food and feeding behaviour , 1995 .

[12]  M. Sasa,et al.  Chironomidae collected in onchocerciasis endemic areas of Guatemala (Insecta, Diptera) , 1994 .

[13]  R. Henry,et al.  INPUT OF ALLOCHTHONOUS MATTER AND STRUCTURE OF FAUNA IN A BRAZILIAN HEADSTREAM , 1994 .

[14]  G. Grodhaus.  Endochironomus Kieffer, Tribelos Townes, Synendotendipes, n. gen., and Endotribelos, n. gen. (Diptera: Chironomidae) of the nearctic region , 1987 .

[15]  L. Pinder.  Biology of Freshwater Chironomidae , 1986 .

[16]  R. W. Bode,et al.  DESCRIPTION OF THE LARVA AND PUPA OF CARDIOCLADIUS ALBIPLUMUS SAETHER (DIPTERA: CHIRONOMIDAE) , 1985, Canadian Entomologist.

[17]  A. Borkent.  THE SYSTEMATICS AND PHYLOGENY OF THE STENOCHIRONOMUS COMPLEX (XESTOCHIRONOMUS, HARRISIUS, and STENOCHIRONOMUS) (DIPTERA: CHIRONOMIDAE) , 1984 .

[18]  D. Oliver.  XYLOTOPUS, A NEW GENUS OF ORTHOCLADIINAE (DIPTERA: CHIRONOMIDAE) , 1982, The Canadian Entomologist.

[19]  A. McLachlan,et al.  Chironomids and Particles: a Field Experiment with Peat in an Upland Stream , 1980 .

[20]  A. McLachlan,et al.  Chironomids and Particles : Microorganisms and Chironomid Distribution in a Peaty Upland River , 1980 .

[21]  G. Minshall,et al.  The River Continuum Concept , 1980 .

[22]  K. Cummins,et al.  Effects of Food Quality on Growth of a Stream Detritivore, Paratendipes Albimanus (Meigen) (Diptera: Chironomidae) , 1979 .

[23]  D. R. Oliver,et al.  Life History of the Chironomidae , 1971 .