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Biomass Dynamics Of Tipula (Insecta: Diptera) In Forested Streams Of The Interior Highlands, Arkansas, Samuel B. Mccord, Alan D. Christian, Richard S. Grippo

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Abundance patterns of aquatic macroinvertebrates that utilize coarse particulate organic matter as a food source are important indicators of non--point source pollution associated with silviculture activities. This group, referred to as shredders, typically decreases in abundance as its food source—primarily leaves—is removed from the ecosystem. We tested whether larval biomass of the crane fly Tipula, a common member of the group, was an effective estimator of shredder abundance. Additionally, we used regression analysis to test whether the length to dry mass relationship of Tipula differed among geographic regions, between seasons, and between years. Results did not indicate significant differences in …