Determination of Chironomus javanus Behaviour Using Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor (MFB)

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ahmad, A.K. | Sharif, Sharifah Mohammad | Shuhaimi-Othman, M.

Affiliations: School of Environmental Science and Natural Resources Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: abas@ukm.my

Abstract: Study on Chironomus riparius behaviour in laboratory conditions was undertaken using Multispecies Freshwater Bioindicator (MFB). Chironomus larvae were collected from permanent culture tank and placed in MFB chamber. One individual C. javanus was placed in the chamber and the test repeated three times. Three different conditions were tested for C. javanus behaviour i.e., C. javanus free swimming in chamber, C. javanus placed in the modified case inserted in the chamber and C. javanus in its tube placed in the modified case. Locomotion, ventilation and inactivity were measured for chosen period. Result indicates that the signal produced in FFT and long-term modes did not much differ between each tests and one-way ANOVA confirmed that no significant difference was recorded (p > 0.05). However, C. javanus from third condition test (in tube and case) exhibited more constant and regular pattern in short-term signal (amplitude signal). The signal produced from third condition test exhibited more regular locomotion, ventilation and inactivity patterns. The one-way ANOVA test indicated that data from third condition test were significantly different from the first and second test condition.

Keywords: Chironomid, behaviour signal, multispecies freshwater biomonitor, biomonitoring, biological indicator

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 33-40, 2011