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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 58(8)

Contribution of adult aquatic insects to riparian prey availability along tropical forest streams

Eric K. W. Chan A , Yixin Zhang B and David Dudgeon A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Division of Ecology & Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China.

B Department of Biology, Texas State University, San Marcos, 601 University Drive, TX 78666, USA.

C Corresponding author. Email: ddudgeon@hkucc.hku.hk

Marine and Freshwater Research 58(8) 725-732 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF07033
Submitted: 26 May 2007  Accepted: 22 June 2007   Published: 27 August 2007

Abstract

The contribution of adult aquatic insects to riparian prey availability at four sites along three hillstreams in Hong Kong was estimated during 2004–2006 dry and wet seasons using light traps deployed at different distances from the banks. The number and biomass of aquatic and terrestrial insects collected were markedly higher during the wet season. Numerically, aquatic insects (especially Chironomidae and Philopotamidae) remained a major catch component along banks throughout the year comprising 77% (range: 61–85%) of total insects. Their contribution to total biomass was higher in the wet season (mean: 50%, range: 33–62%) than during the dry season (mean: 21%, range: 8–45%). Aquatic insect abundance decreased with increasing distance from streams during both seasons: numbers at 10–20 m distance were less than 45% of those at the banks, declining to less than 13% at 80 m distance. No such decline with distance was observed for terrestrial insects, but the limited dispersal of aquatic insects meant total insect catches were highest along stream banks. Changes in biomass with distance from streams were similar to those for abundance. Adult aquatic insects may represent an important water-to-land energy subsidy for riparian predators in Hong Kong, but the magnitude varied seasonally and fell sharply with increasing distance from streams.

Additional keywords: Asia, bird, food web, lateral dispersal, spider.


Acknowledgements

EKWC was supported by a postgraduate studentship from The University of Hong Kong. The work described in this paper was partially supported by a grant from the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (Project No. [HKU] 7619/05M). The authors are grateful to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the Hong Kong Government for issuing a permit to deploy light traps in protected areas. We are grateful to two anonymous referees for constructive comments on the manuscript.


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