Factorial environmental stress experiment (Limnephilidae)

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Method synopsis

2x2 factorial design manipulating temperature and conductivity to test environmental drying cues on caddisfly development and survival. Uses shade manipulation and salt additions to simulate pond drying conditions.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 29 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Contrasting short-and long-term outcomes of pairwise interactions between caddisflies at a hydrologically heterogeneous range margin (2023), Freshwater Biology. The protocol was originally introduced by Seasonal variation in the intensity of competition and predation among dragonfly larvae (1989), Ecology. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Establish cage experiment sites
   Selected 5 temporary ponds and 5 semi-permanent ponds at Mexican Cut Nature Preserve spanning hydroperiod gradient. Temporary ponds dry completely every year, semi-permanent ponds dry in autumn of years with low precipitation.
   Quantities: 10 ponds total (5 temporary, 5 semi-permanent)Duration: Site selection prior to experiment startConditions: Subalpine elevation (3400 m a.s.l.), natural hydroperiod variation
   Equipment: pond selection criteria based on drying patterns
2. Construct experimental cages
   Built 50×50×50cm wood-framed cubes with 1-mm mesh walls and floors. Cages covered entire water column from surface to sediment and were partially embedded in substrate.
   Quantities: 50×50×50cm dimensions, 1-mm mesh sizeDuration: Construction prior to experiment deploymentConditions: Mesh designed to contain caddisflies while allowing water flow
   Equipment: wood frames, 1-mm mesh, construction tools
3. Add experimental sedge substrate
   Added 50g of air-dried, coarsely chopped Carex aquatilis detritus to each cage as food resource for both caddisfly species. Sedge was collected from ponds at MCNP and inoculated in cages for 7 days before adding caddisflies.

Typical Equipment

• shade cloth
• NaCl solution
• conductivity meter
• Hobo temperature loggers
• analytical balance

Output Measurements

• larval dry weight
• pupal dry weight
• survival rates
• temperature data
• conductivity measurements

Papers Using This Protocol (29)

Species Studied With This Protocol