Abstract
The nymphs ofEphemerella ignita occurred in all months except October in the Bere Stream at Bere Heath, a small chalk stream in Southern England. Peak densities of 1,498 m−2 and 753 m−2 were recorded in May by two sampling methods used simultaneously. The seasonal patterns of growth and abundance are compared with the findings of other authors. A maximum biomass of 0.82 g m−2 preserved dry weight is compared with figures for two of the most common invertebrate groups present; the Simuliidae and Oligochaeta.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bohle, H. W. 1972. Die Temperaturabhängigkeit der Embryogenese und der embryonalen Diapause von Ephemerella ignita (Poda). Oecologia (Berl.) 10: 252–268.
Crisp, D. T. & Gledhill, T. 1970. A quantitative description of the recovery of the bottom fauna in a muddy reach of a mill stream in southern England after draining and dredging. Arch. Hydrobiol. 67: 502–541.
Egglishaw, H. J. & Mackay, D. W. 1967. A survey of the bottom fauna of streams in the Scottish Highlands. Part 3. Seasonal changes in the fauna of three streams. Hydrobiologia 30: (3–4) 305–334.
Harrod, J. J. 1964. Distribution of invertebrates on submerged aquatic plants in a chalk stream. J. Anim Ecol. 33: 335–348.
Kite, O. W. A. 1962. Notes on the emergence of Ephemeropteran subimagines in 1961. Salm. Trout Mag. 165.
Ladle, M., Bass, J. A. B. & Jenkins, W. R. 1972. Studies on production and food consumption by the larval Simuliidae (Diptera) of a chalk stream. Hydrobiologia 39: 429–448.
Langford, T. E. 1971. The distribution, abundance and life-histories of stoneflies (Plecoptera) and mayflies (Ephemeroptera) in a British river, warmed by cooling water from a power station. Hydrobiologia 38; 339–377.
Macan, T. T. 1957. The life histories and migrations of the Ephemeroptera in a stony stream. Trans. Soc. Br. Ent. 12: 129–156.
Macan, T. T. 1970. A key to the nymphs of the British species of Ephemeroptera. Scient. Publs. Freshwat. biol. Ass. No. 20. (2nd edn.)
Maitland, P. S. 1965. The distribution, life cycle, and predators of Ephemerella ignita (Poda) in the River Endrick, Scotland. Oikos 16: 48–57.
Maitland, P. S. 1966. Studies on Loch Lomond. II. The fauna of the River Endrick. p. 86. Blackie & Son Ltd. Glasgow.
Thibault, M. 1971. Le développement des Éphéméroptères d'un ruisseau a truites des Pyrénées-Atlantiques, le Lissuraga. II. Les fluctuations thermiques de l'eau; répercussion sur les périodes de sortie et la taille de quelques Éphéméroptères, Plécoptères et Trichoptères. Ann. Hydrobiol. 2: (2) 241–274.
Westlake, D. F. Casey, H. et al. 1972. The chalk stream ecosystem. In: Productivity problems of freshwaters. Kajak, Z. & Hillbricht-Ilkowska, A. (Eds) IBP-Unesco Symp., Kazimierz Dolny, 1970 Warszawa-Krakow. 918 pp.
Whitehead, H. 1935. An ecological study of the invertebrate fauna of a chalk stream near Great Driffield, Yorkshire. J. Anim. Ecol. 4: (1) 58–78.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bass, J.A.B. Studies on Ephemerella ignita (Poda) in a chalk stream in Southern England. Hydrobiologia 49, 117–121 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00772681
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00772681