Seasonal Abundance of Chironomidae Larvae (Diptera) in Buyuk Stream, Elazig, Turkey

Abstract

We surveyed the Chironomidae larvae assemblages in Buyuk Stream, Elazig, Turkey, from June 2006 to May 2007, and found 19 species belonging to 16 genera. The highest total abundance (807 ind./m(2)) was recorded June, while the lowest total abundance (428 ind./m(2)) was seen in February. The densities of most species were highest in the summer, and the dominant species was Chironomus plumosus. Two-way analysis of variance of total chironomids showed significant seasonal (F=4.484, P<0.01) and habitat (F=11.459, P<0.001) effects.