Allometric growth of two species of Ephemeroptera from Neotropical mountains streams

Author(s)

Paciencia, Gabriel de Paula ^{[1, 2]} ; Bispo, Pitagoras da Conceicao ^[1] ; Cortezzi, Sara Sanches ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias & Letras Assis, Dept Ciencias Biol, Lab Biol Aquat, BR-19806900 Assis, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol, PPG Entomol, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ANNALES DE LIMNOLOGIE-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIMNOLOGY; v. 48, n. 2, p. 145-150, JAN 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

The present study evaluated the relative growth and allometry of Massartella brieni Lestage and Thraulodes sp. (Leptophlebiidae: Ephemeroptera). The morphometric analysis was based on 23 measurements and was conducted using a multivariate approach. Throughout postembryonic ontogeny, all of the head measurements, including those of the mouthparts, exhibited negative allometric growth. The mesothorax and wing pad exhibited positive allometric growth. The hind legs lengths in M. brieni and the fore and hind legs lengths in Thraulodes sp. exhibited positive allometry. The abdominal length in these two species exhibited positive allometric growth. Positive allometry was also observed along the abdomen width for M. brieni, and isometry was observed for Thraulodes sp. The relative strengthening of the thorax (in preparation for the winged stage) and the relative increase in the abdomen (which may be related to the development of the reproductive structures) during growth indicate that many of the structures that exhibit positive allometric growth are related to the transition from the aquatic to the adult stage of development. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 98/05073-4 - Survey and biology of freshwater crustaceans, insects and mollusks in the state of São Paulo
• Grantee: Claudio Gilberto Froehlich
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants