A rapid method of species identification of wild chironomids (Diptera: Chironomidae) via electrophoresis of hemoglobin proteins in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel (SDS–PAGE)

Studying aquatic benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs) in the field requires accurate taxonomic identification, which can be difficult and time consuming. Conventionally, head capsule morphology has been used to identify wild larvae of Chironomidae. However, due to the number of species and possible dam...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bulletin of entomological research 2014-10, Vol.104 (5), p.639-651
Main Authors: Oh, J.T., Epler, J.H., Bentivegna, C.S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal populations
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Blood Protein Electrophoresis
Chironomidae
Chironomidae - classification
Chironomus
Chromatography, Liquid
Classification - methods
Cricotopus
Dicrotendipes
Diptera
Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Glyptotendipes
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobins - analysis
Hemoglobins - chemistry
Insecta
Insects
Invertebrates
Mass Spectrometry
Morphology
Research Paper
Species Specificity
Systematics. Geographical distribution
Taxonomy
Thienemannimyia
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Summary:Studying aquatic benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs) in the field requires accurate taxonomic identification, which can be difficult and time consuming. Conventionally, head capsule morphology has been used to identify wild larvae of Chironomidae. However, due to the number of species and possible damage and/or deformity of their head capsules, another supporting approach for identification is needed. Here, we provide hemoglobin (Hb) protein in hemolymph of chironomids as a new biomarker that may help resolve some of the ambiguities and difficulties encountered during taxonomic identification. Chironomids collected from two locations in Maine and New Jersey, USA were identified to the genus level and in some cases to the species-level using head capsule and body morphologies. The head capsule for a particular individual was then associated with a corresponding Hb protein profile generated from sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). Distinct Hb profiles were observed from one group (Thienemannimyia) and four genera (Chironomus, Cricotopus, Dicrotendipes, and Glyptotendipes) of chironomids. Several species were polymorphic, having more than one Hb profile and/or having bands of the same size as those of other species. However, major bands and the combination of bands could distinguish individuals at the genus and sometimes species-level. Overall, this study showed that Hb profiles can be used in combination with head capsule morphology to identify wild chironomids.
ISSN:0007-4853
1475-2670
1475-2670
DOI:10.1017/S0007485314000431