CR 33:207-214(2007)  -  doi: 10.3354/cr033207

Interaction between genetic diversity and temperature stress on life-cycle parameters and genetic variability in midge Chironomus riparius populations

Christian Vogt1,*, Annika Pupp1, Carsten Nowak2, Lucas S. Jagodzinski1, Jonas Baumann1, Daniel Jost1, Matthias Oetken1, Jörg Oehlmann1

1Department of Aquatic Ecotoxicology and 2Department of Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, J. W. Goethe University, Siesmayerstrasse 70, 60323 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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ABSTRACT: The genetic diversity of natural populations and the increase in global temperature are becoming important issues in ecotoxicological research. We investigated the combined effects of 3 different temperature levels and 6 different levels of genetic diversity on the life history parameters of Chironomus riparius. Inbreeding and loss of genetic variation are major threats to small and endangered populations. The reduction of fitness due to inbreeding is more severe under stressful environmental conditions. We show that under even a moderate temperature stress, a decrease in genetic variation has important consequences on the fitness of populations. This indicates that the global temperature increase could have serious effects on the distribution and survival of locally distributed or rare species.


KEY WORDS: Life-history parameters · Microsatellites · Diptera · Chironomidae · Genetic impoverishment


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Published in CR Vol. 33, No. 3. Publication date: April 20, 2007
Print ISSN: 0936-577X; Online ISSN: 1616-1572
Copyright © 2007 Inter-Research.