Aestivation provides flexible mechanisms for survival of stream drying in a larval trichopteran (Leptoceridae)
S. Wickson A C , E. T. Chester B and B. J. Robson B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, PO Box 423, Warrnambool, Vic. 3280, Australia.
B School of Environmental Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: sjwi@deakin.edu.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 63(9) 821-826 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF12095
Submitted: 8 April 2012 Accepted: 12 August 2012 Published: 8 October 2012
Abstract
Some freshwater species aestivate to resist drying; however, little is known about factors affecting post-aestivation survival. Climate change prolongs drying and may make short bursts of flow more frequent in southern Australian streams, thereby affecting aestivation success. The tolerance of larval Lectrides varians (Mosley) to drying was tested by inducing aestivation in dry or moist sediment and then re-immersing larvae and measuring survival and activity. Survival did not differ between individuals that were continually immersed (78%) or aestivating on moist sediment (70.5%) after 16 weeks. Survival was significantly lower on dry sediment (29.3%). Furthermore, some larvae showed delayed responses to re-immersion; 65% of individuals showed activity within 4.5 h, whereas over 30% of larvae did not become active until 72 h after re-immersion. L. varians can survive extended periods (112 days) without surface water, showing a bimodal response to re-immersion that increases the likelihood of population persistence by enabling some larvae to remain aestivating during short-lived bursts of stream flow. L. varians populations will therefore be more robust to prolonged stream drying and short-lived flow events than are some other insect taxa, although as the duration of aestivation increases larval survivorship decreases, suggesting that there are limits to the flexibility of aestivation traits.
Additional keywords : aestivation, drought, intermittent streams, life history traits, Mediterranean streams, Trichoptera.
References
Adamou, A., Adama, D., Seydo, T., Yaya, K., Alpha, S. Y., Moussa, D., and Sekou, F. T. (2011). The contribution of aestivating mosquitos to the persistance of Anopheles gambiae in the Sahel. Malaria Journal 10, 151–160.| The contribution of aestivating mosquitos to the persistance of Anopheles gambiae in the Sahel.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Allaby, M. (1998). ‘Oxford Dictionary of Ecology.’ (Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK.)
Bond, N. R., Lake, P. S., and Arthington, A. H. (2008). The impacts of drought on freshwater ecosystems: an Australian perspective. Hydrobiologia 600, 3–16.
| The impacts of drought on freshwater ecosystems: an Australian perspective.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Boulton, A. J. (1989). Over-summering refuges of aquatic macroinvertebrates in two intermittent streams in central Victoria. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 113, 23–34.
Boulton, A. J. (2003). Parallels and contrasts in the effects of drought on stream macroinvertebrate assemblages. Freshwater Biology 48, 1173–1185.
| Parallels and contrasts in the effects of drought on stream macroinvertebrate assemblages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chessman, B. C. (2009). Climatic changes and 13-year trends in stream macroinvertebrate assemblages in New South Wales, Australia. Global Change Biology 15, 2791–2802.
| Climatic changes and 13-year trends in stream macroinvertebrate assemblages in New South Wales, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chessman, B. C., Jones, H. A., Searle, N. K., Growns, I. O., and Pearson, M. P. (2010). Assessing effects of flow alteration on macroinvertebrate assemblages in Australian dryland rivers. Freshwater Biology 55, 1780–1800.
Chester, E. T., and Robson, B. J. (2011). Drought refuges, spatial scale and the recolonization of invertebrates in non-perennial streams. Freshwater Biology 56, 2094–2104.
| Drought refuges, spatial scale and the recolonization of invertebrates in non-perennial streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Colburn, E. A. (1984). Diapause in a salt-tolerant desert caddisfly: the life-cycle of Limnephilis assimilis (Trichoptera) in Death Valley. American Midland Naturalist 111, 280–287.
| Diapause in a salt-tolerant desert caddisfly: the life-cycle of Limnephilis assimilis (Trichoptera) in Death Valley.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
De Block, M., McPeek, M. A., and Stoks, R. (2008). Life history plasticity to combined time and biotic constraints in Lestes damselflies from vernal and temporary ponds. Oikos 117, 908–916.
| Life history plasticity to combined time and biotic constraints in Lestes damselflies from vernal and temporary ponds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Diaz, A. M., Alonso, M. L. S., and Gutierrez, M. R. V. A. (2008). Biological traits of stream macroinvertebrates from a semi-arid catchment: patterns along complex environmental gradients. Freshwater Biology 53, 1–21.
Doeg, T. G. (1996). An assessment of the significance of the aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Grampians National Park. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria, Melbourne.
Flint, O. S. (1958). The larvae and terrestrial pupa of Ironoquia parvula (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae). Journal of the New York Entomological Society 66, 59–62.
González, J. M., and Graca, M. A. S. (2003). Conversion of leaf litter to secondary production by a shredding caddisfly. Freshwater Biology 48, 1578–1592.
| Conversion of leaf litter to secondary production by a shredding caddisfly.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Humphries, P., and Baldwin, D. S. (2003). Drought and aquatic ecosystems: an introduction. Freshwater Biology 48, 1141–1146.
| Drought and aquatic ecosystems: an introduction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hynes, H. B. N. (1970). Ecology of stream insects. Annual Review of Entomology 15, 25–42.
| Ecology of stream insects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hynes, H. B. N. (1976). Biology of Plecoptera. Annual Review of Entomology 21, 135–153.
| Biology of Plecoptera.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jackson, J. E. (1985). Larvae and pupae of Lectrides varians Mosely and Leptorussa darlingtoni (Banks) (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 109, 83–95.
Lake, P. S. (2003). Ecological effects of perturbation by drought in flowing waters. Freshwater Biology 48, 1161–1172.
| Ecological effects of perturbation by drought in flowing waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lancaster, J., and Hildrew, A. G. (1993). Characterizing in-stream flow refugia. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 50, 1663–1675.
| Characterizing in-stream flow refugia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lytle, D. A. (2008). Life-history and behaviorial adaptations of aquatic insects in disturbed environments. In ‘Aquatic Insects: Challenges to Populations’. (Eds J. Lancaster and R. Briers.) pp. 122–138. (CABI International: London.)
Lytle, D. A., and Poff, N. L. (2004). Adaptation to natural flow regimes. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 19, 94–100.
| Adaptation to natural flow regimes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Masaki, S. (1980). Summer diapause. Annual Review of Entomology 25, 1–25.
| Summer diapause.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pörschmann, U., and Speith, H. R. (2011). Aestivation in Pieris brassicae (L.) affects the parasitoid load caused by Cotesia glomerata (L.). Entomological Science 14, 31–36.
| Aestivation in Pieris brassicae (L.) affects the parasitoid load caused by Cotesia glomerata (L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ramsey, F. L., and Schafer, D. W. (1997). ‘The Statistical Slueth: a Course in the Methods of Data Analysis.’ (Duxbury Press: Belmont, CA).
Robson, B. J., Hogan, M., and Forrester, T. (2005). Hierarchical patterns of invertebrate assemblage structure in stony upland streams change with time and flow permanence. Freshwater Biology 50, 944–953.
| Hierarchical patterns of invertebrate assemblage structure in stony upland streams change with time and flow permanence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Robson, B. J., Matthews, T. G., Lind, P. R., and Thomas, N. A. (2008). Pathways for algal recolonization in seasonally-flowing streams. Freshwater Biology 53, 2385–2401.
| Pathways for algal recolonization in seasonally-flowing streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Robson, B. J., Chester, E. T., and Austin, C. M. (2011). Why life history information matters: predicting the role of drought refuges for sustaining macroinvertebrate biodiversity in non-perennial streams subject to increased periods of drying. Marine and Freshwater Research 62, 801–810.
| Why life history information matters: predicting the role of drought refuges for sustaining macroinvertebrate biodiversity in non-perennial streams subject to increased periods of drying.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXpt1Gjsrs%3D&md5=d3c487d584a62f4c7202eb397e4d136bCAS |
Salavert, V., Zamora-Munoz, C., Ruiz-Rodriguez, M., and Soler, J. J. (2011). Female based size dimorphism in a diapausing caddisfly, Mesophylax aspersus: effect of fecundity and natural selection. Ecological Entomology 36, 389–395.
| Female based size dimorphism in a diapausing caddisfly, Mesophylax aspersus: effect of fecundity and natural selection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Southwood, T. R. S. (1977). Habitat, the templet for ecolological strategies? Journal of Animal Ecology 46, 337–365.
| Habitat, the templet for ecolological strategies?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sponseller, R. A., Grimm, N. B., Boulton, A. J., and Sabo, J. L. (2010). Responses of macroinvertebrate communities to long-term flow variabilty in a Sonoran Desert stream. Global Change Biology 16, 2891–2900.
| Responses of macroinvertebrate communities to long-term flow variabilty in a Sonoran Desert stream.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
St Clair, R. M. (1993). Life-histories of six species of Leptoceridae (Insecta, Trichoptera) in Victoria. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 44, 363–379.
| Life-histories of six species of Leptoceridae (Insecta, Trichoptera) in Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
St Clair, R. M. (1994). Some larval Leptoceridae (Trichoptera) from south-eastern Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 46, 171–226.
| Some larval Leptoceridae (Trichoptera) from south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stanley, E. H., Fisher, S. G., and Grimm, N. B. (1997). Ecosystem expansion and constraction in streams. Bioscience 47, 427–435.
| Ecosystem expansion and constraction in streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Statzner, B., Hildrew, A. G., and Resh, V. H. (2001). Species traits and environmental, constraints: Entomological research and the history of ecological theory. Annual Review of Entomology 46, 291–316.
| Species traits and environmental, constraints: Entomological research and the history of ecological theory.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXitlSmtrg%3D&md5=d2bd2ab7a83c029227e85b7f53251222CAS |
Steffen, W., Burbidge, A.A., Hughes, L., Kitching, R., Lindenmayer, D., Musgrave, W., Stafford-Smith, M., and Werner, P.A. (2009). ‘Australia’s Biodiversity and Climate Change.’ (CSIRO: Melbourne.)
Stearns, S. C. (1976). Life-history tactics: a review of the ideas. The Quarterly Review of Biology 51, 3–47.
| Life-history tactics: a review of the ideas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaE283itlWluw%3D%3D&md5=71d3f47dc9f626ade21ddf9b9789b4cdCAS |
Stubbington, R., Greenwood, A. M., Wood, P. J., Armitage, P. D., Gunn, J., and Robertson, A. L. (2009). The response of perennial and temporary and headwater stream invertebrate communities to hydrological extremes. Hydrobiologia 630, 299–312.
| The response of perennial and temporary and headwater stream invertebrate communities to hydrological extremes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Towns, D. R. (1983). Terrestrial oviposition by two species of Caddisfly in South-Australia (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae). Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 22, 113–118.
| Terrestrial oviposition by two species of Caddisfly in South-Australia (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Towns, D. R. (1991). Ecology of Leptocerid caddisfly larvae in an intermittent South Australian stream receiving Eucalyptus litter. Freshwater Biology 25, 117–129.
| Ecology of Leptocerid caddisfly larvae in an intermittent South Australian stream receiving Eucalyptus litter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Waldbauer, G. P., and Sternburg, J. G. (1973). Polymorphic termination of diapause by cercopia: genetic and geographical aspects. The Biological Bulletin 145, 627–641.
| Polymorphic termination of diapause by cercopia: genetic and geographical aspects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wiggins, G. B. (1973). A contribution to the biology of caddisflies (Trichoptera) in temporary pools. Life Science Contributions of the Royal Ontario Museum 88, 1–28.
Wiggins, G. B. (2004). ‘Caddisflies: the Underwater Architects.’ (University of Toronto Press: Toronto.)
Williams, D. D. (1996). Environmental constraints in temporary fresh waters and their consequences for the insect fauna. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 15, 634–650.
| Environmental constraints in temporary fresh waters and their consequences for the insect fauna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Winterbourn, M. J., Rounick, J. S., and Cowie, B. (1981). Are New Zealand stream ecosystems really different? New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 15, 321–328.
| Are New Zealand stream ecosystems really different?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
