Publication Date
1-1-2011
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Ende, Carl von
Degree Name
B.S. (Bachelor of Science)
Legacy Department
Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract
The larval stage of the phantom midge Chaoborus americanus (Chaoboridae) is an important predator on zooplankton in temperate, fish less ponds. Chaoborus have distinct development stages typical of holometabolous insects: egg, larva (four larval instars), pupa, and adult. Temperature and food levels can significantly affect development rates in insects. The purpose of this study was: (1) to compare developmental patterns of populations of C. americanus from different latitudes (northern Wisconsin, northern Illinois), which experience different annual temperature regimes; and (2) to construct a mathematical model to predict larval development patterns (Developmental Model) and another to predict abundance patterns for C. americanus populations based on temperature and food regimes (Abundance Model). The Chaoborus americanus population in northern Wisconsin (Tender Bog) completed one generation per year. The northern Illinois population (Meiner Pond) had two to three generations per year. Pupae that developed from overwintering fourth larvae in Meiner Pond were nearly twice the mass of the pupae in the summer generation. The pupae of the overwintering population of fourth instar larvae in Tender Bog were comparable in mass to the pupae from the first generation (late May) in Meiner Pond. Using laboratory estimates for growth and development rates, and the appropriate field temperature data, the Developmental Model correctly predicted a one-year generation time for a C. american us population in Tender Bog and three generations per year for the Meiner population. Similarly, the results generated by the abundance model were consistent with the phenology and patterns of instar abundance observed in the respective populations.
Recommended Citation
Moran, Rachel, "Gorwth and developmental plasticity of Chaoborus americanus populations" (2011). Honors Capstones. 582.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/studentengagement-honorscapstones/582
Extent
25 pages
Language
eng
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
