Morphological Variation in 'Djalmabatista' (Diptera: Chironomidae) Associated with Coal Strip Mine Ponds

摘要

Larvae of Djalmabatista pulcher possessing abnormally-shaped ligulas were found in abandoned coal strip mine ponds near Brillant, Alabama. Of the total 1,472 larvae examined, 50 possessed an abnormal ligula (3.4%) a frequency greater than previously reported for chironomids. Based on monthly samples from June to October 1978, the combined frequency of abnormalities in three strip mine ponds (3.04%) was not significantly different from the frequency at the unmined reference site, Marion County Lake (1.85%) (P = 0.36). The frequencies of abnormalities were not significantly correlated with any measured water quality or biological parameter related to strip mine activity.