I )I 'ID (~ Scientific Excellence • Resource Protection & Conservation • Benefits for Canadians Excellence scientifique • Protection et conservation des ressources • Blmefices aux Canadiens Distrib tio s of sto efly (Plecoptera) and Caddisfly (Tric optera) Species i hree Stream Systems i ew Brunswick and ova Scotia, Canada, with Reference to S ream Acidity R. H. Peterson and L. van Eeckhaute Biological Station, St. Andrews, N.B. EOG 2 XO January 1990 Canadian Tec nical Report of Fisher-es and Aquat-c Sciences o. 1720 Fisheries Peches and Oceans et Oceans Canada Canadian Technical Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 1720 January 1990 DISTRIBUTIONS OF STONEFLY (PLECOPTERA) AND CADDISFLY (TRICHOPTERA) SPECIES IN THREE STREAM SYSTEMS IN NEW BRUNSWICK AND NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA, WITH REFERENCE TO STREAM ACIDITY R. H. Peterson and L. van Eeckhaute Aquaculture and Invertebrate Fisheries Division Department of Fisheries and Oceans Biological Station St. Andrews, New Brunswick EOG 2XO This is the two hundred and fifth Technical Report of the Biological Station, St. Andrews, N. B. ii © Minister of Supply and Services Canada 1990 Cat. No. Fs 97-6/1720 ISSN 0706-6457 Correct citation for this publication: Peterson, H. R., and L. van Eeckhaute. 1990. Distributions of stonefly (Plecoptera) and caddisfly (Trichoptera) species in three stream systems in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada, with reference to stream acidity. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1720: iii + 42 p. iii ABSTRACT Peterson, R. H., and L. van Eeckhaute. 1990. Distributions of stonefly (Plecoptera) and caddisfly (Trichoptera) species in three stream systems in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada, with reference to stream acidity. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1720: iii + 42 p. Fifty-seven sites on three Maritime stream systems (Saint Croix, N.B., Medway and Gold, N.S.) were systematically sampled for invertebrates. Approximately 30 and 100 plecopteran and trichopteran taxa, respectively, were identified. Collection of Leuctra truncata, Isoperla holochlora, Culoptila cantha, Hydropsyche betteni, H. scalaris, H. alternans, Hydroptila xoncla (?), H. hamata, Oxyethira grisea, Palaeagapetus celsus, Ceraclea annulicornis (?), C. diluta (?), C. resurgens (?), Oecetis persimilis, Triaenodes injusta, Glossosoma nigrior, Nyctiophylax celta, Rhyacophila carolina, R. manistee, and Brachycentrus numerosus represent probable extension of known ranges for these species. Taxa common to the Saint Croix system but uncommon in the acidic Nova Scotian systems were Phasganophora capitata, Acroneuria spp., Paragnetina media, Agapteus spp., and Hydropsyche morosa. Taxa present in the Saint Croix system but not collected from the Nova Scotian systems included Isoperla holochlora, Paragnetina immarginata, Pteronarcys biloba, Micrasema charonis, Hydropsyche scalaris, H. alhedra, Macrostemum zebratum, and Neophylax fuscus. Perlesta placida was collected more commonly in the Nova Scotian systems. Taxa collected in the Nova Scotian systems but not in the Saint Croix included Ostrocerca albidipennis, Leuctra sibley, and Hydroptila acadia (?). The distributions of the various taxa are discussed in terms of stream acidity and possible geographic influence. RESUME Peterson, R. H., and L. van Eeckhaute. 1990. Distributions of stonefly (Plecoptera) and caddisfly (Trichoptera) species in three stream systems in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canada, with reference to stream acidity. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1720: iii + 42 p. Cinquante-sept sites dans trois reseaux fluviatiles (Sainte-Croix (N.-B.) Medway et Gold (N.-E.)) des provinces Maritimes ont eM systematiquement soumis a des echantillons pour en recenser les populations d'invertebres. Environ 30 taxons de plecopteres et 100 taxons de trichopteres ont ete identifies. La cueillette de Leuctra truncata, Isoperla holochlora, Culoptila cantha, Hydropsyche betteni, H. scalaris, H. alternana, Hydroptila xoncla (?), H. hamata, Oxyethira grisea, Palaeagapetus celsus, Ceraclea annulicornis (?), C. diluta (?), C. resurgens (?), Oecetis persimilis, Triaenodes injusta, Glossosoma nigrior, Nyctiophylax celta, Rhyacophilia carolina, R. manistee et Brachycentrus numerosus represente une extension probable des aires de distribution connues de ces especes. Les taxons que I'on retrouve communement dans Ie reseau fluviatile de la Sainte-Croix, mais qui sont peu communs dans les reseaux fluviatiles de la Nouvelle-Ecosse sont: Phasganophora capitata, Acroneuria spp., Paragnetina media, Agapteus spp., et Hydropsyche morosa. Parmi les taxons p,resents dans Ie reseau fluviatile mais qui n'ont pas ete recueillis dans les reseaux de la Nouvelle­ Ecosse, notons Isoperla holochlora, Paragnetina immarginata, Pteronarcys biloba, Micrasema charonis, Hydropsyche scalaris, H. alhedra, Macrostemum sebratum et Neophylax fuscus. L'espece Perlesta placida a ete recueillie plus souvent dans les reseaux neo-ecossais. Au nombre des taxons recueillis dans les reseaux de la Nouvelle-Ecosse mais non dans la Sainte-Croix figuraient Ostrocerca albidipennis, Leuctra sibley et Hydroptila acadia (?). Le rapport traite de la distribution des divers taxons en fonction de I'acidite des cours d'eau et des influences geographiques eventuelles. INTRODUCTION This report will provide background documentation for future quantitative reports. The Maritime provinces are characterized Voucher specimens representative of each by stream systems exhibiting a wide diversity of taxon listed here have been preserved in chemical characteristics. Streams in ethanol and are available. southwestern Nova Scotia are characterized generally by high concentrations of dissolved organic matter and low pH, while those in STUDY SITES AND COLLECTING METHODS southwestern New Brunswick are usually of circum-neutral pH, and often have a lower Twenty-three (numbered 1-25) sites were dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration. sampled on the S1. Croix system (Fig. 1, 2), 21 Several other parameters of stream chemistry sites (31-52) on the Medway (Fig. 1, 2) and 13 may be correlated with DOC and/or pH, such as (72-84) on the Gold (Fig. 1, 3). We attempted dissolved calcium, magnesium, aluminum, and to sample a sufficient number of sites so that iron. replication for various parameters, such as stream size, would build some duplication of For the last 3 yr, we have been studying habitat type into the study (App. I). the distributions of fish, mayflies (Ephemeroptera), stoneflies (Plecoptera) and Rocky riffle areas only were sampled with caddis flies (Trichoptera) in three stream standard Surber samplers at all sites with drainage systems: 1) S1. Croix R. system, substrate size ranging from gravel to large draining southwestern New Brunswick and boulder, so that species associated with pools emptying into Passamaquoddy Bay (Fig. 1, 2); would be poorly represented in our collections. 2) the Gold R. system, draining an area south Three samples were collected at each site at of the Kentville-Wolfville axis into the south each of five sampling periods spaced regularly shore of Nova Scotia (Fig. 1, 3); and 3) the from early May until late October-early Medway R. system, draining a section of November. During each sampling period at southwest Nova Scotia to the west of the Gold each site, one sample was taken from substrate R. - roughly parallel to the latter system, but containing periphytic vegetation, if present, and separated from it by the LaHave drainage (Fig. one taken near the stream margin. By 1, 4). systematic temporal sampling through the open water season, and by selecting heterogeneous This report presents an annotated list of substrates within the rocky riffle habitat, we the stoneflies and caddis flies identified from the hoped to maximize the probability of collecting above stream systems. For several genera, it all or most of the species inhabiting this habitat. has not been possible to assign species names, and some other species identifications are Adults were also netted when available tentative. With some caddis flies, the genus during the benthic sampling and, for some Hydroptila in particular, the collection of species, mature larvae or nymphs were reared metamorphotypes (mature pupae and larval in the laboratory to obtain adults for species sclerites retained in the pupal sac) permitted verification. association of larvae with previously identified adults. The references and keys used to identify various taxonomic groups will be given in the In this paper, we have used the term sections dealing with these specific groups. "stream" in a general sense to denote a lotic body of water. We will use the term "large" I. PLECOPTERA river to refer to streams which are large enough to have practically no canopy (base flow Nemourldae discharges of 1 m3/s or greater). Small to medium rivers have varying degrees of partial The nymphs of the family Nemouridae canopy (.01-1 m3/s discharge). Brooks are were identified with the use of the keys in streams small enough to be totally canopied Harper and Hynes (1971a). Mature nymphs are (.001-.01 m3/s) , but usually do not dry required for most species, and the requirement completely. Rivulets are intermittent streams of intact cerci for identification of some species (less than .001 m3/s) , usually spring fed. was occasionally a problem. The adults were 2 .....J o- ,f /' ~ I Fig. 1. A map of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia with the approximate drainage areas of the three stream systems outlined with dashed lines. 1. St. Croix drainage system; 2. Kentvllle, N.S.;