Benthic Fauna Colonization of a New Reservoir with Particular Reference to the Chironomidae

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Abstract
At the time of first filling of Laurel Creek Reservoir in the spring of 1967 the benthic fauna consisted of submerged terrestrial organisms and obligate and facultative rheophilic species. Two months after initial filling substantial populations of colonizing limnophilic species developed in the habitat whereas the terrestrial and obligate rheophilic components were lost. By the 4th month the fauna was dominated by euryoxybiontic limnophiles and by facultative species. In the period immediately prior to reservoir drainage in the autumn of 1967 the population densities of the euryoxybiontic chironomids declined whereas polyoxybiontic species continued to increase in abundance. These changes in the dominance hierarchy of the chironomid fauna were associated with the partial loss of the rich deposits of organic debris by siltation and decomposition. Survival of winter drainage of the reservoir by many limnophilic species produced an appreciably different pattern of colonization when the reservoir refilled in 1968. During the second summer of the reservoir's existence most euryoxybiontic chironomids further declined in abundance and were replaced by polyoxybiontic forms as the dominant species. The facultative species originally derived from the creek fauna are adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions and the modifications of the reservoir habitat with time had little effect on their abundance.

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