Molecular and morphological characterisation of larvae of the genus Diamesa Meigen, 1835 (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Alpine streams (Otztal Alps, Austria).

ABSTRACT: Diamesa species (Diptera, Chironomidae) are widely distributed in freshwater ecosystems, and their life cycles are closely linked to environmental variables such as temperature, water quality, and sediment composition. Their sensitivity to environmental changes, particularly in response to pollution and habitat alterations, makes them valuable indicators of ecosystem health. The challenges associated with the morphological identification of larvae invoke the use of DNA barcoding for species determination. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene is regularly used for species identification but faces limitations, such as similar sequences in closely related species. To overcome this, we explored the use of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) region in addition to COI for

SUBMITTER: Dvorak M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10868831 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature