Comparison of caddisfly (Insecta, Trichoptera) assemblages from lake and river habitats of the Huron Mountains of Michigan (USA)

Abstract

The caddisfly assemblages of six lakes and 12 1st–4th order streams of the Huron Mountains of northern Upper Michigan (USA) were sampled monthly with ultraviolet lights during June-September 2019. A total of 169 species representing 63 genera and 19 families was collected, including five species not found elsewhere in Michigan and two species endemic to the state. Species assemblages between lotic and lentic habitats were distinct from each other, with 11 species indicating lakes and 23 indicating rivers. Despite the taxonomic differences, biomass of functional feeding groups (FFGs) was similar between lakes and rivers, except for higher biomass of predators in the former and higher biomass of filtering collectors in the latter. The FFG biomass of both habitat types was dominated (50–70%) by shredders. Considering the undisturbed condition of the habitats, the caddisfly assemblages and FFG biomass of the Huron Mountains can serve as regional biological monitoring reference conditions.