Abstracts

Diversity of the Fauna

Taxonomic diversity of chironomids larvae in Pre-Baikal water bodies (creeks, rivers and lakes) was investigated. Fauna analysis is done taking into account original and references data (Vershinin, 1964; Bazikalova, 1971; Yerbaeva, 1976; Yerbaeva et al., 1977; Linevich, 1981; Klishko, 1995; Lake Baikal..., 1998; Buyantuev, 1999; Proviz, 2000; Kravtsova, 2000, etc.) in 25 waterflows and 41 Pre-Baikalian lakes including Lakes Baikal and Khubsugul. More than 300 species and larvae forms of chironomids are registered in Pre-Baikal water bodies including larvae identified up to species groups (Table).

Taxonomic composition of chironomids species in Pre-Baikal water bodies

The fauna of Pre-Baikalian rivers, creeks and lakes is diverse. Larvae of 2 subfamilies Chironominae and Orthocladiinae dominate. 111 chironomids taxa are found both in lacustrine and in riverine ecosystems of Pre-Baikal. It is shown that Lake Baikal littoral is a buffer zone between water catchment basin and water body. Habitat conditions in Lake Baikal littoral promote formation of limno-rheophilic complex of chironomids.

The results of chironomids studies in Pre-Baikal waterflows have a little changed the existing opinion on the endemism of this fauna. The species D. baicalensis Tshern., Paratanytarsus baicalensis (Tshern.), Neozavrelia minuta (Linev.), on our opinion, are not Baikalian endemics as they are found out of it. Before they were considered as Baikalian endemics due to insufficient degree of knowledge on waterflows. At present 1st species is found in Amur River basin, 2nd one – in the lakes of Barguzin R. basin, as well as along Selenga R., latter one – in Irkut R.

This work is partly supported y Integration grant of RAS SB No 66 of 2000, RFBR-Baikal 01-04-97224.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

|Home Page| |English Part|

Go to Home