Ecology
Associations
Known predators
Ephemeroptera (other ephemeropteran nymphs) is prey of:
roach
Salvelinus fontinalis
Gammarus pulex
Perla carlukiana
Polycentropus flavomaculatus
Salmo salar
Based on studies in:
England, River Cam (River)
Canada: Ontario (River)
Wales, Dee River (River)
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
roach
Salvelinus fontinalis
Gammarus pulex
Perla carlukiana
Polycentropus flavomaculatus
Salmo salar
Based on studies in:
England, River Cam (River)
Canada: Ontario (River)
Wales, Dee River (River)
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
- R. M. Badcock, 1949. Studies in stream life in tributaries of the Welsh Dee. J. Anim. Ecol. 18:193-208, from pp. 202-206 and Price, P. W., 1984, Insect Ecology, 2nd ed., New York: John Wiley, p. 23
- W. E. Ricker, 1934. An ecological classification of certain Ontario streams. Univ. Toronto Studies, Biol. Serv. 37, Publ. Ontario Fish. Res. Lab. 49:7-114, from pp. 105-106.
- P. H. T. Hartley, Food and feeding relationships in a community of fresh-water fishes, J. Anim. Ecol. 17(1):1-14, from p. 12 (1948).
© SPIRE project
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Known prey organisms
Ephemeroptera (other ephemeropteran nymphs) preys on:
plant fragments
Bacillariophyceae
Coscinodiscus
Synedra
plant tissue
detritus
Based on studies in:
England, River Cam (River)
Wales, Dee River (River)
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
plant fragments
Bacillariophyceae
Coscinodiscus
Synedra
plant tissue
detritus
Based on studies in:
England, River Cam (River)
Wales, Dee River (River)
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
- R. M. Badcock, 1949. Studies in stream life in tributaries of the Welsh Dee. J. Anim. Ecol. 18:193-208, from pp. 202-206 and Price, P. W., 1984, Insect Ecology, 2nd ed., New York: John Wiley, p. 23
- P. H. T. Hartley, Food and feeding relationships in a community of fresh-water fishes, J. Anim. Ecol. 17(1):1-14, from p. 12 (1948).
© SPIRE project
Source:
SPIRE
Trusted
Associations
Animal / carrion / dead animal feeder
Chytriomyces aureus feeds on dead exxuvia of Ephemeroptera
In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Animal / predator / stocks nest with
female of Crossocerus walkeri stocks nest with Ephemeroptera
Animal / parasite / endoparasite
cyst of Dolichosaccus rastellus endoparasitises nymph of Ephemeroptera
Animal / parasite / endoparasite
cyst of Opisthioglyphe ranae endoparasitises nymph of Ephemeroptera
Chytriomyces aureus feeds on dead exxuvia of Ephemeroptera
In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Animal / predator / stocks nest with
female of Crossocerus walkeri stocks nest with Ephemeroptera
Animal / parasite / endoparasite
cyst of Dolichosaccus rastellus endoparasitises nymph of Ephemeroptera
Animal / parasite / endoparasite
cyst of Opisthioglyphe ranae endoparasitises nymph of Ephemeroptera
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Evolution and Systematics
Functional Adaptations
Functional adaptation
Cyclical emergence optimizes reproduction: mayfly
"In the mayfly (Povilla adusta), a distinct lunar-based pattern of adult emergence and swarming has been documented. Dr. R. Hartland-Rowe's studies of 22 Ugandan swarms observed between March 1953 and April 1955 at Kaazi, Jinja, and Lake Albert revealed that these swarms appeared within five days of the full moon, with most of them occuring on the second night after full moon. On three separate occasions, swarms were recorded simultaneously at locations roughly 120 miles (75 km) apart. Adult mayflies live only for a few hours, so the purpose of this swarming synchronicity is presumably to bring the two sexes together in order to maximize mating prospects before they die." (Shuker 2001:95)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
Swarms of mayflies maximize reproductive chances by emerging according to lunar patterns.
"In the mayfly (Povilla adusta), a distinct lunar-based pattern of adult emergence and swarming has been documented. Dr. R. Hartland-Rowe's studies of 22 Ugandan swarms observed between March 1953 and April 1955 at Kaazi, Jinja, and Lake Albert revealed that these swarms appeared within five days of the full moon, with most of them occuring on the second night after full moon. On three separate occasions, swarms were recorded simultaneously at locations roughly 120 miles (75 km) apart. Adult mayflies live only for a few hours, so the purpose of this swarming synchronicity is presumably to bring the two sexes together in order to maximize mating prospects before they die." (Shuker 2001:95)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
- Shuker, KPN. 2001. The Hidden Powers of Animals: Uncovering the Secrets of Nature. London: Marshall Editions Ltd. 240 p.
© The Biomimicry Institute
Source:
AskNature
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Functional adaptation
Shield and spoilers decrease lift in water: mayfly
"Not only does flow separate above a flattened animal, but it is also much more complex than was first thought. Flow separation reduces lift, but at a cost of increased drag which, however, is a price that may well be worth paying to stay attached. For the heptageniid larvae, certain features of its body design may in fact lead to negative lift in flowing water. This is accomplished by lowering its head shield and by using its femora as spoilers (Weissenberger et at. 1991) (Fig. 5.3)." (Giller and Malmqvist 1998:112)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
Body of Ecdyonurus (mayfly) larvae decreases lift in flowing water by having a lowered head shield position and using its lower leg segments (femora) as spoilers.
"Not only does flow separate above a flattened animal, but it is also much more complex than was first thought. Flow separation reduces lift, but at a cost of increased drag which, however, is a price that may well be worth paying to stay attached. For the heptageniid larvae, certain features of its body design may in fact lead to negative lift in flowing water. This is accomplished by lowering its head shield and by using its femora as spoilers (Weissenberger et at. 1991) (Fig. 5.3)." (Giller and Malmqvist 1998:112)
Learn more about this functional adaptation.
- Giller, P. S.; Malmqvist, B. 1998. The Biology of Streams and Rivers. Oxford University Press, USA.
© The Biomimicry Institute
Source:
AskNature
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Molecular Biology and Genetics
Barcode
Locations of barcode samples
Collection Sites: world map showing specimen collection locations for Ephemeroptera 
© Barcode of Life Data Systems
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Statistics of barcoding coverage
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) Stats
| Specimen Records: | 12,443 |
| Specimens with Sequences: | 8,907 |
| Specimens with Barcodes: | 8,179 |
| Public Records: | 3,163 |
| Species: | 629 |
| Species With Barcodes: | 558 |
© Barcode of Life Data Systems
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Barcode data
© Barcode of Life Data Systems
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