INFLUENCE OF SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN CHIRONOMUS RIPARIUS MEIGEN ON TOXIC EFFECTS OF CADMIUM

摘要

Second instars of Chironomus riparius Meigen were exposed to different concentrations of Cd-spiked sediment to determine effects on males and females. The wet weights of the larvae were determined after 10 d of exposure. The animals were then returned to the sediment and allowed to emerge. Time to emergence, sex, and adult survival time were recorded. The animals were weights declined with increasing Cd concentrations, but the concentrations-weight responses of males and females were similar. Hence, the impact of sexual dimorphism on growth measurements in sediment toxicity tests is likely to be small.