LIFE HISTORIES, DIET, AND NICHE OVERLAP OF 3 SYMPATRIC SPECIES OF ELMIDAE (COLEOPTERA) IN A TEMPERATE STREAM

Promoresia elegans (LeConte), Optioservus fastiditus (LeConte), and Stenelmis nr. bicarinata LeConte coexist in Duffin Creek, Ont., making up 3.78−23.92% of the riffle fauna present. Promoresia elegans and O. fastiditus appeared to have semi-voltine life histories. Stenelmis nr. bicarinata appeared to be univoltine but with overlapping generations and slow recruitment occurring from late summer to fall; growth was slow in winter but fast in spring and summer. Based on the index of relative importance (Pinkas et al. 1971), detritus was identified as the most important food source for all size classes and all species throughout the year. Microinorganics ranked second, with diatoms, fungal hyphae, and vascular plant material being the least important food sources. There was no indication of ontogenic food switching in any of the species. The Schoener (1970) niche overlap index indicated almost complete dietary overlap (Cxy = 0.78−0.97) among the three species throughout the year and the Hurlbert (1978) niche overlap index similarly indicated a convergence of diets (L = 1.31−3.54). Niche breadth values were found to be high for all species on the rock surfaces (generalist diet) but were lower in the hyporheic zone indicating a higher degree of specialization there. © 1990, Entomological Society of Canada. All rights reserved.