Benthic Macroinvertebrates of Temperate, Sub-Antarctic Streams: The Effects of Altitudinal Zoning and Temperature on the Phenology of Aquatic Insects Associated to the Robalo River, Navarino Island (55°S), Chile Page: 79
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CHAPTER 5
LIFE HISTORY OF Meridialaris chiloeense (Demoulin) (EPHEMEROPTERA:
LEPTOPHLEBIIDAE) THROUGH THE ALTITUDINAL GRADIENT OF A
SOUTHERN SOUTH AMERICA SUB-ANTARCTIC STREAM
Abstract
The life history of one of the world's southernmost mayflies, Meridialaris chiloeense
(Demoulin) (Leptophlebiidae: Ephemeroptera), was studied through the altitudinal gradient of a
Sub-Antarctic fluvial system (R6balo river, 55S, Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, Chile) from
August 2009 to August of 2010. The results indicate that the life history of Meridialaris
chiloeense ranges from merovoltine (headwaters, 560 meters above sea level) to univoltine
(mouth, sea level) through the altitudinal gradient studied. We provide historical water
temperature data for the river and propose Meridialaris chiloeense as a suitable indicator in the
context of climate change studies, as a small rise in temperature could switch its life cycle to
multivoltine, provoking serious changes on benthic macroinvertebrate community structure and
geographic distributions, amongst others.
Introduction
Ephemeroptera nymphs are a conspicuous component of the macroinvertebrate fauna in
mountain streams (Hollmann and Miserendino 2006). Most mayfly nymphs consume epilithic
algae and fine particulate organic matter (Cummins and Klug 1979, Miserendino et al. 2001),
and are an important component in the diet of many fish, amphibians, birds and mammals
(Morse 2009). Furthermore, they are highly susceptible to pollution and have been extensively
used as indicators water quality (Hynes 1970, Hellawell 1978, Pyle et al. 1981, Wallace 1996,
Abellin et al. 2005, Morse 2009).79
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Contador Mejías, Tamara Andrea. Benthic Macroinvertebrates of Temperate, Sub-Antarctic Streams: The Effects of Altitudinal Zoning and Temperature on the Phenology of Aquatic Insects Associated to the Robalo River, Navarino Island (55°S), Chile, dissertation, December 2011; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc103303/m1/93/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .