Adaptation strategies of the species of Epherneroptera to environment conditions of Restinga de Maricá, Rio de Janeiro State

Abstract

Some aspects on biology and ecology of the mayflies Callibaetis guttatus (Baetidae) and Caenis cuniana (Caenidae) were studied between 1986 and 1991 in Brejo-canal de Itaipuaçu marsh, Maricá, RJ, Brazil. Time of duration of the subimago stage in C. guttatus possibly indicares an aduptation for restricting it at night as an strategy to avoid desiccation. In the Summer, when the water level is low, population density decreased significantly, and a crescent process of dispersal to adjacent water bodies was observed. About C. cuniana, parthenogenetic reproduction seems to be an important strategy of adaptation to local conditions.