Sublittoral and profundal chironomid (Diptera) communities of Lake Vico (Central Italy): relationship to the trophic level

Sublittoral and profundal chironomid community structure, depth distribution and relationship to the trophic level of the waters were investigated in Lake Vico (Central Italy) during 1985-1986. PCA analysis indicated a depth-dependent group of true profunda! stations at 20, 30 and 40 m depths, characterized by Micropsectra, Procladius, Microtendipes, Tanytarsus and Paratendipes, and a group of 10 m stations, characterized by Cryptochironomus, Polypedilum b'tcrenatum gr., Cladopelma lateralis gr. and C. laccophila gr., representing the sublittoral features of this depth. In agreement with the chemical data, the chironomid community indicated a mesotrophic condition of Lake Vico, with a tendency towards an increasing trophic level in the deepest zone. A significant role in revealing future trophic changes in the lake may be attributed to the key-indicator Micropsectra.