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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

J.T. Oh ,
J.H. Epler  and
C.S. Bentivegna
J.T. Oh
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey 07079, USA
J.H. Epler
Affiliation:
461 Tiger Hammock Road, Crawfordville, Florida 32327, USA
C.S. Bentivegna*
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey 07079, USA
*
*Author for correspondence Fax: +973 275-2905 E-mail: carolyn.bentivegna@shu.edu
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

Chironomidaehead capsule morphologyhemoglobin proteinSDS–PAGE
Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 104 , Issue 5 , October 2014 , pp. 639 - 651
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

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