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Behavioural, developmental and morphological responses
of Chironomus gr. thummi larvae (Diptera, Nematocera)
to aquatic pollution
Almut Gerhardt1
& Luc Janssens de Bisthoven2
1Lund University,
Dept of Chemical Ecology and Ecotoxicology,
Ecology Building, Sölvegatan 37, 5-223 62 Lund, Sweden
2Cathotic University of
Leuven, Ecology and Aquaculture,
Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
Received January 1995; accepted in revised
form 3 July 1995
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Abstract
Populations of Chironomus gr. thummi
larvae from two differently polluted lowland streams (Dommel, high
cadmium and zinc; Use, medium copper and organic xenobiotics) were
screened for behavioural and morphological responses to pollution.
Behaviours such as locomotion (swimming and looping), respiration
movements (ventilation) and inactivity were quantified with impedance
conversion technique. Chironomids from the Dommel were more active
than larvae from Ijse. In Ijse, deformed larvae showed less emergence,
less locomotion and more ventilation than non-deformed larvae. In
Dommel, deformed and normal larvae were equally fit (behaviour,
emergence).
Keywords: biomonitoring, impedance conversion, deformities,
biomarkers, Chironomus gr. thummi
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