Features of local morphometric variability of larvae Chironomidae on the example of Einfeldia pagana (Meigen, 1838) (Diptera: Chironomidae)

Currently, there is a lack of morphometric studies of biotopic differences between the larvae of mosquitoes Chironomidae at the species level, despite extensive research in this area on other groups of invertebrates. Such studies will help determine the directions of organism variability in changing environmental conditions. This article presents the results of a study of the local morphometric variability of larvae of mosquitoes Chironomidae, the species Einfeldia pagana, depending on the depth of habitat in the water body. The relevance of the work is due to the importance of understanding the directions of morphological changes in mosquitoes Chironomidae as key components of macrozoobenthos involved in the processes of self-purification of water bodies and food chains. The aim of the study was to assess the morphometric differences of larvae Einfeldia pagana from different biotopes of Lake Komsomolskoe (Kazan). The analysis involved 26 morphometric features of larvae of age IV, including 18 parameters of the head capsule and 8 characteristics of the posterior part of the body. Measurements of morphological structures were carried out using a binocular and a light microscope using micrometer eyepiece scale. Statistical data processing was performed using methods for assessing the validity of differences, including bootstrap analysis, MANOVA, and a posterior Tukey test. The results showed significant morphometric differences between the samples: the sizes of the head capsule organs and anal gills differ. Twelve traits with statistically significant differences were identified. The obtained results can be used to develop biomonitoring methods and predict changes in species composition of Chironomidae in water bodies, as well as serve as a basis for further studies of the morphological variability of Chironomidae in various ecological conditions.