chironomids

SALINITY INFLUENCE ON CHIRONOMID LARVAE (DIPTERA, CHIRONOMIDAE) IN THE CRIMEAN HYPERSALINE LAKES

The paper summarizes the results of our long-term research (2007 - 2015) of chironomids in 38 saline and hypersaline lakes in the Crimea. Chironomid larvae were found at salinities up to 340 g/l, and their occurrence frequency decreased as salinity rose above 30 - 50 g/l. Four species, namely, Baeotendipes noctivagus, Cricotopus gr. cylindraceus, Tanytarsus gr. Mendax, and Paratanytarsus gr. quantuplex were identified.