| Abstract | Many hydrobiological studies have dealt with the autecology of species within the family Chironomidae and discussed factors affecting species distribution. The aim of the present research is to consider the most important factors affecting chironomid species distribution. Habitat type (lentic, lotic, krenal, rhithral, etc.), water temperature, conductivity, and trophic status are confirmed key factors controlling their assemblage structure. Here, we introduce the term "morphotaxon" as the taxonomic level, intermediate between genus and species, more suitable to describe the ecological responses of Chironomidae. The present uncertainty related to species identification is at the base of the proposal, with the assumption that species belonging to the same morphotaxon have similar ecological needs. In this study, this hypothesis was found to be valid, with few exceptions
represented by species-rich genera (e.g., Tanytarsus, Paratanytarsus). The morphotaxon can be viewed as an interim measure waiting for the implementation of new complementary approaches, such as species identification with molecular methods. |
| Text | 465543 2022 10.3390/w14071014 species morphospecies morphotype freshwater ecology lotic and lentic habitat self organizing maps Factors Controlling Morphotaxa Distributions of Diptera Chironomidae in Freshwaters Bruno Rossaro, Laura Marziali, Matteo Montagna, Giulia Magoga, Silvia Zaupa, Angela Boggero Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie ed Ambientali DISAA , Universita degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy; 2 National Research Council Water Research Institute CNR IRSA , Via del Mulino 19, 20861 Brugherio, Italy; 3 Dipartimento di Agraria, Universita degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Universita 100, 80055 Portici, Italy; 4 BAT Center Interuniversity Center for Studies on Bioinspired Agro Environmental Technology, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Universita 100, 80055 Portici, Italy; 5 National Research Council Water Research Institute CNR IRSA , Corso Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania Pallanza, Italy Many hydrobiological studies have dealt with the autecology of species within the family Chironomidae and discussed factors affecting species distribution. The aim of the present research is to consider the most important factors affecting chironomid species distribution. Habitat type lentic, lotic, krenal, rhithral, etc. , water temperature, conductivity, and trophic status are confirmed key factors controlling their assemblage structure. Here, we introduce the term morphotaxon as the taxonomic level, intermediate between genus and species, more suitable to describe the ecological responses of Chironomidae. The present uncertainty related to species identification is at the base of the proposal, with the assumption that species belonging to the same morphotaxon have similar ecological needs. In this study, this hypothesis was found to be valid, with few exceptions represented by species rich genera e.g., Tanytarsus, Paratanytarsus . The morphotaxon can be viewed as an interim measure waiting for the implementation of new complementary approaches, such as species identification with molecular methods. 14 Published version https //www.mdpi.com/2073 4441/14/7/1014/htm Factors Controlling Morphotaxa Distributions of Diptera Chironomidae in Freshwaters 2022_Factors Chiro freshwaters_Rossaro etal.pdf Articolo in rivista Molecular Diversity Preservation International 2073 4441 Water Basel Water Basel Water Basel Water. Basel angela.boggero BOGGERO ANGELA laura.marziali MARZIALI LAURA |
