The Comparative Gut Content Analysis of Some Chironomidae Larvae Living in the Freshwaters at Northern Thrace Region of Turkey

The roles of larval chironomids in the food chain both lotic and lentic ecosystems are very important. On one hand, chironomid larvae feeding on algae, diatoms, rotting organic matter, plant, animal residues also play an important role these systems as a source for other carnivores omnivorous organisms. In this study, gut contents Cryptochironomus defectus (Kieffer, 1913), Cladotanytarsus mancus (Walker, 1856), Polypedilum scalaenum (Schrank, 1803), Tanypus kraatzi 1912) collected from freshwater located northern parts Thrace region Turkey were analyzed to compare their habits. As result analysis, it was determined that while plant fragments dominant C. species content (44.3%), algae (44.7%), P. (63.5%), T. (65%). According results Shannon-Wiener (H') index species, diversity found be highest among (H'= 1.345). Also, according Bray-Curtis similarity index, most similar types (38%). This low rate indicated have different preferences.