Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A method for separating benthic arthropods from detritus

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Benthic arthropods were sorted from stream bed detritus (size range 300–1 000 µm) with a phase-separation technique using kerosene and 70–90% ethanol. 88.00% of the arthropods were retained at the interphase and this efficiency was significantly increased to 94.49% if the detritus was processed twice. This method shows high yields and low variability for non-crustacean arthropods and is potentially useful for standardizing the efficiency of sorting in projects where more than one sorter is employed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson, R. O., 1959. A modified flotation technique for sorting bottom fauna samples. Limnol. Oceanogr. 4: 223–225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ettershank, G., 1963. A method of separating arthropods from detritus in berlese funnel samples. Turtox News 41: 98–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, C. P. & J. R. Sedell, 1981. Longitudinal and seasonal changes in functional organization of macroinvertebrate communities in four Oregon streams. Ecology 62: 387–397.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jonasson, P. M., 1955. The efficiency of sieving techniques for sampling freshwater bottom fauna. Oikos 6: 183–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karlsson, M., T. Bohlin & J. Stenson, 1976. Core sampling and flotation: two methods to reduce costs of a chironomid population study. Oikos 27: 336–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lackey, R. T. & B. E. May, 1971. Use of sugar flotation and dye to sort benthic samples. Trans. am. Fish. Soc. 100: 794–797.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauff, G. H., K. W. Cummins, C. H. Eriksen & M. Packer, 1961. A method for sorting bottom fauna samples by elutriation. Limnol. Oceanogr. 6: 462–466.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magdych, W. P., 1981. An efficient, inexpensive elutriator design for separating benthos from sediment samples. Hydrobiologia 85: 157–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, W. T. & P. P., Yevich, 1967. The use of phloxine B and Rose Bengal stains to facilitate sorting benthic samples. Trans. am. microsc. Soc. 86: 221–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mundie, J. H., 1957. The ecology of Chironomidae in storage reservoirs. Trans. r. ent. Soc. Lond. 109: 149–233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pask, W. M. & R. R. Costa, 1971. Efficiency of sucrose flotation in recovering insect larvae from benthic stream samples. Can. Entomol. 103: 1649–1652.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salt, G. & F. S. J. Hollick, 1944. Studies on wireworm populations. I. A census of wireworms in pasture. Ann. appl. Biol. 31: 52–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R. R. & F. J. Rohlf, 1981. Biometry. Freeman, San Francisco. 859 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Monash University, 3168, Victoria, Clayton, Australia

    L. A. Barmuta

Authors
  1. L. A. Barmuta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Barmuta, L.A. A method for separating benthic arthropods from detritus. Hydrobiologia 112, 105–107 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006913

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006913

Keywords

Search

Navigation