CONSUMPTION OF ANIMAL CARCASSES BY THE PUTATIVE LEAF SHREDDER PHYLLOICUS MEXICANUS (TRICHOPTERA: CALAMOCERATIDAE)

摘要

Caddisflies in the genus Phylloicus are often considered to be dominant shredders, or consumers of terrestrial leaf litter, in tropical and subtropical streams. However, few studies of their diet have been conducted in the field. In this article we report observational and stable isotope data demonstrating that Phylloicus mexicanus larvae also consume animal detritus in Ramsey Canyon, a montane headwater stream in southeastern Arizona. These data support the hypothesis that Phylloicus rely on animal material to meet nutritional demands and should be considered generalist detritivores rather than obligate consumers of leaf litter. Our work also suggests that the drought-driven loss of predatory Hemipterans, which leave behind animal carcasses after feeding, could exacerbate the effects of stream drying on Phylloicus populations.