Diversity, Life cycle and Nutritional Values of Trichoptera at Montane Evergreen Forest of Nakhon Si Thammarat Ranges

Abstract

This study aimed to study the diversity, life cycle and nutritional values of Trichoptera and to study larval morphology, life cycle, and nutritional values of the Lepidostoma abruptum Banks, 1931 at Montane Evergreen Forest of Nakhon Si Thammarat Ranges. The result show that 3,949 adult Trichoptera specimens have been collected, belonging to 21 families, 60 genera, and 173 species. The most abundant Trichoptera families in the study sites were Philopotamidae (32 species), Hydropsychidae (26 species), Polycentropodidae (17 species), and Psychomyiidae (14 species), in rank order by species count. The Trichoptera species found in greatest numbers were Trichosetodes sisyphos Malicky&Prommi 2006, Chimarra thienemanni C&M 1989, Chrysotrichia pulmonaria Xue&Yang 1990, and Rhyacophila scissoidea Kimmins 1953. 15 new species of Trichoptera were described from this area, such as Rhyacophila aksornkoaei Laudee&Malicky 2019, Plectrocnemia paras Malicky&Suwannarat 2020, Helicopsyche artinc Malicky&Suwannarat 2020 and Oecetis rochcl Malicky&Suwannarat 2020, and these are apparently endemic to the mountain ranges. The specimens were collected bimonthly in one year by pick sampling method from Tai Rom Yen National Park, in Southern Thailand (8o 50’35’’N 99o 28’38’’E), at 911 meters above the sea level during March 2019 and February 2020. The larvae of L. abruptum lived in a pool in a small stream, where the substrate was dominated by fine sand, fine gravel, dead plant materials, and leaves. For the life cycle, 74 specimens were measured for the head capsule width. The results indicate presence of 5th instar larvae (instar I-IV, pupae, and adult) this being a non-seasonal species. In addition, the specimens were determined for the nutritional values: protein (49.08%), total fat (27.18%), total dietary fiber (5.93%), moisture (68.87%), omega-3 (0.19%), omega-6 (6.42%), and omega-9 (11.75%). Summary of the study the Trichoptera are the most diversity at Khao Nan, followed with Tai Rom Yen and the least at Khao Luang National Park. Montane Evergreen Forest of Nakhon Si Thammarat Ranges were found 15 new species of Trichoptera. The life cycle of L. abruptum was 5 stages, with protein values as high as 49.08%.