Influence of nymphal size, sex and morphotype on microdistribution of Deleatidium (Ephemeroptera: Leptophlebiidae) in a New Zealand river

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Abstract
SUMMARY: The interaction of water depth and velocity with size, sex and morphotype of nymphs belonging to the leptophlebiid mayfly genus Deleatidium was investigated in a New Zealand river. Velocity had a significant effect on distribution such that larger nymphs tended to be found more commonly in faster water. Depth also influenced size distribution, but in different ways at different sites. Water velocity or depth alone did not significantly influence the distribution of sexes (1.0 mm head width), but the combined effect of these two factors was significant. Final instar males appeared to be relatively more abundant in slower water than final instar females. Nymphs (1.0 mm head width) belonging to the informal lillii group (apically pointed gills) were present over a wide range of depth and velocity conditions, but those belonging to the myzobranchia group (round‐tipped gills) were largely restricted to fast water (>0.9ms−1). Several mechanisms thought to cause variations in microdistribution are discussed. These include differential effects of oxygen availability, food requirements and drag forces, nymphal behaviour, and selection of oviposition sites by adults.

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