Wednesday, May 28, 2008 - 11:45 AM
407

Temperature, body size, and growth rates of arctic chironomids

Malcolm G. Butler, Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Stevens Hall NDSU, Fargo, ND 58105

Climatic warming may be most acute in shallow arctic habitats, where some of the slowest insect growth rates have been reported. The benthic invertebrate community of tundra ponds on the Arctic Coastal Plain near Barrow, AK is dominated by a dozen chironomid species ranging in maximum larval mass from 0.02-5.0mg dry weight, with slow growth rates and long developmental periods ranging one to seven years. Evaluation of larval growth data across much of this size range (Tanytarsus to Chironomus) confirms the general predictions of metabolic theory regarding scaling of larval growth rates with respect to body mass. Analysis of thermal effects on rates of insect growth and development in these arctic ponds can provide a framework for evaluating how a changing thermal environment may alter community structure and productivity of benthic invertebrates in these extreme but widespread arctic habitats.


Web Page: Chironomidae, arctic ponds, climate change, metabolic theory

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