Gardening by net-spinning caddisflies: the effect of ecosystem engineers on microbial communities

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26840146
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Ecology/Environment
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Okano Jun-ichi 京都大学, 生態学研究センター, 研究員 (20547327)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: caddisfly / building behaviour

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Many caddisfly larvae build cases using sand grains. In this study, I found among- and within-population variations in the material preference of the case-bearing larvae, and the both variations have high heritability. In addition, a few discrete peaks were found in the frequency distribution of the within-population variations, indicating the possibility of polymorphism. As a result of rearing experiment, it is suggested the possibility that the indirect interaction of cannibalism may be a key factor maintaining the polymorphism.

Free Research Field

行動生態学