Taxanomy, genetic and autecology of larval Drusinae
Taxanomy, genetic and autecology of larval Drusinae
Disciplines
Biology (50%); Geosciences (33%); Industrial Biotechnology (17%)
Keywords
-
Drusinae larvae,
Molecular genetics,
Insecta: Trichoptera,
Protein electrophoresis,
Key,
Developmental threshhold temperatures
Larval Drusinae (Insecta: Trichoptera) are excellent bioindicators due to their high indication weight (up to 4), their sharply-defined longitudinal zonation patterns in running waters and their specific feeding modi. In addition, Drusinae larvae are cold-adapted inhabitants of higher altitude streams and brooks and are very sensitive for ecological scenarios associated with climate change. This high bioindication potential, however, can only be applied when identifications are possible to species level. Unfortunately, this is not the case in central Europe (= Austria, Germany and Switzerland), where the larval stages of six Drusinae species remain unknown.The first aim of this project is therefore to construct a larval key encompassing all 24 central European species. Information on adult specimens stored at national biogeographic data bases (e.g. ZOBODAT at Linz, Upper Austria) will enable us to collect eggs from adults in copula and larvae of hitherto unknown species at the appropriate places and times. Subsequently, the eggs of previously identified egg-laying females will be reared in the laboratory; this will provide us with the morphological information necessary to describe the hitherto unknown larvae and to construct the key. A further work package - molecular genetics and protein electrophoresis - will support the morphological module and provide additional data on taxa that cannot be differentiated morphologically. The genetics and electrophoresis module will also help to test traditional and new phylogenetic hypothesis, to resolve contemporary species grouping concepts, to evaluate generic relationships within the Drusinae and to reconstruct colonization centers and possible routes of dispersial. Rearing the eggs over a range of different constant temperatures will yield information on upper and lower temperature thresholds of embryonic development. Such data sets provide valuable basic information for early warning systems on climate-induced threats to high mountain biodiversity. They will also enable the evaluation of climate change scenarios as highlighted by GLORIA-Europe and EURO-limpacs.
Larval Drusinae (Insecta: Trichoptera) are excellent bioindicators due to their high indication weight (up to 4), their sharply-defined longitudinal zonation patterns in running waters and their specific feeding modi. In addition, Drusinae larvae are cold-adapted inhabitants of higher altitude streams and brooks and are very sensitive for ecological scenarios associated with climate change. This high bioindication potential, however, can only be applied when identifications are possible to species level. Unfortunately, this is not the case in central Europe (= Austria, Germany and Switzerland), where the larval stages of six Drusinae species remain unknown.The first aim of this project is therefore to construct a larval key encompassing all 24 central European species. Information on adult specimens stored at national biogeographic data bases (e.g. ZOBODAT at Linz, Upper Austria) will enable us to collect eggs from adults in copula and larvae of hitherto unknown species at the appropriate places and times. Subsequently, the eggs of previously identified egg-laying females will be reared in the laboratory; this will provide us with the morphological information necessary to describe the hitherto unknown larvae and to construct the key. A further work package - molecular genetics and protein electrophoresis - will support the morphological module and provide additional data on taxa that cannot be differentiated morphologically. The genetics and electrophoresis module will also help to test traditional and new phylogenetic hypothesis, to resolve contemporary species grouping concepts, to evaluate generic relationships within the Drusinae and to reconstruct colonization centers and possible routes of dispersial. Rearing the eggs over a range of different constant temperatures will yield information on upper and lower temperature thresholds of embryonic development. Such data sets provide valuable basic information for early warning systems on climate-induced threats to high mountain biodiversity. They will also enable the evaluation of climate change scenarios as highlighted by GLORIA-Europe and EURO-limpacs.
- Universität Wien - 100%
- Steffen Pauls, Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (LOEWE BiK-F) - Germany
Research Output
- 187 Citations
- 12 Publications
-
2008
Title The larva, ecology and distribution of Tinodes braueri McLachlan 1878 (Trichoptera: Psychomyiidae) DOI 10.1080/01650420802331158 Type Journal Article Author Graf W Journal Aquatic Insects Pages 295-299 Link Publication -
2009
Title A new feeding group within larval Drusinae (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae): the alpinus-group sensu Schmid, 1956, including larval descriptions of Drusus franzi Schmid, 1956 and Drusus alpinus (Meyer-Dür, 1875). DOI 10.11646/zootaxa.2031.1.4 Type Journal Article Author Graf W Journal Zootaxa Pages 53-62 -
2009
Title The larva of Rhyacophila ferox Graf, 2006 (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae) from the Eastern Alps (Carinthia, Austria) DOI 10.1080/01650420802627159 Type Journal Article Author Graf W Journal Aquatic Insects Pages 111-117 Link Publication -
2008
Title The larvae of Drusus improvisus McLachlan, 1884, Drusus camerinus Moretti, 1981 and Drusus aprutiensis Moretti, 1981 (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae: Drusinae) DOI 10.1080/01650420802334046 Type Journal Article Author Waringer J Journal Aquatic Insects Pages 269-279 Link Publication