Ecology of Peltoperla Arcuata and Tallaperla Maria (Plecoptera: Peltoperlidae) at the Fernow Experimental Forest, Tucker County, West Virginia

Abstract

We examined the abundance, life history, and production of the stoneflies Peltoperla arcuata and Tallaperla maria (Plecoptera: Peltoperlidae) in four forested headwater streams at the Fernow Experimental Forest, Tucker County, West Virginia. Peltoperla arcuata was most abundant in the smallest watersheds (<100 ha), and was present at all sites. Tallaperla maria was most abundant in watersheds >200 hectares (ha), was restricted to sites with a base-flow alkalinity of >2 mg L−1 CaC03, and was the dominant peltoperlid only at sites with an alkalinity >15 mg L−1. We conclude that water chemistry overrides stream size as a determinant of species-specific distribution of Fernow peltoperlids. Both taxa had semivoltine life cycles with an 18-month naiadal period following a 6-month egg diapause. Emergence was during May-July for both species. Peltoperla arcuata had about 15 instars; T maria had about 14 instars. Peltoperlid production was highest (509 mg m-2 y-1) in a 128 ha watershed where only P arcuata was collected; P arcuata production was lowest (17 mg m−2 y−1) in a 4th order stream (1536 ha). Tallaperla maria production was highest (271 m−2 y1) in a 257 ha watershed partially underlain by limestone. Production across streams was higher for P arcuata (205 mg m-2 y−1) than for T maria (91 mg m−2 y−1). © 1995, Hindawi Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved.