Rearing methods and life cycle characteristics of Chironomus sp. Florida (Chironomidae: Diptera): A rapid-developing species for laboratory studies

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 16; no. 2; p. e0247382
• Main Authors: Reyes-Maldonado, Roberto, Marie, Bruno, Ramírez, Alonso
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 22.02.2021; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Algae; Animal behavior; Animal experimentation; Animal life cycles; Animal models in research; Aquariums; Biological research; Biology and Life Sciences; Biology, Experimental; Chemical pollution; Chironomids; Drinking water; Ecology; Editing; Eggs; Electronic mail; Funding; Indigenous species; Insect rearing; Insects; Laboratories; Life cycles; Marine microorganisms; Medicine and Health Sciences; Methods; Morphology; Native species; Nervous system; Neurobiology; Neurosciences; Physiological aspects; Pollution effects; Reviews; Sunscreens; Ultraviolet filters; Water pollution; Water purification; Puerto Rico; North Carolina; Florida
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247382

The species Chironomus sp. "Florida" has several qualities that make it a potential aquatic laboratory model to be used in Puerto Rico. Its use as such, however, requires a rearing protocol and life cycle description not previously reported. The present study addresses this lack of information by first describing a rearing method obtained through three years of observations. Next we describe and discuss the life cycle and the effects of temperature and feeding on development. The species has a short life cycle (typically 11 days) and larval stages easily identified using body measurements. Temperature affects the duration of the life cycle, with warm temperatures producing faster development than cold temperatures. The effects of different food concentrations vary: in large water volumes, concentrations of 2 mg/larva/day produce faster developmental times, but at low water volumes, small food concentrations of 0.5 mg/larva/day produce faster developmental times. The rearing protocol and life cycle parameters presented in this study are intended to promote the use of this species as a laboratory model. The fast development of Chironomus sp. "Florida" makes it ideal for toxicological studies.