Does intraspecific competition cause oxidative stress? Influence of biotic and abiotic factors on antioxidant system of an invasive round goby.

Changes in oxidative status represent organismal response to stressful external stimuli. While there is substantial knowledge on the influence of abiotic factors on the antioxidant system of different organisms, the impact of biotic factors remains largely unexplored. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of acute competitive interactions on oxidative stress.

Intra- and interspecific competition resulting from spatial coexistence among larvae of closely-related caddisflies from the genus .

Caddisfly larvae commonly inhabit freshwater ecosystems, where they often create multi-species aggregations. However, while several strategies have been developed to avoid or reduce inter- and intraspecific interactions, most species choose the same time to seek a suitable place for pupation, which can increase competition. The current study assesses the competitive interactions among larvae (5 instar) of three co-existing e species, , , and , analysing their direct one-on-one interaction and various morphological features, such as size, weight, and mandibles.

Larvae of Hydropsyche angustipennis (Trichoptera, Hydropsychidae) as indicators of stream contamination by heavy metals in Łódź agglomeration.

A biomonitoring technique was employed to assess metal contamination of several degraded urban streams in the Łódź agglomeration. Presence of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Fe, Cd, Pb, Cr, was determined in whole bodies of Hydropsyche angustipennis larvae. Larvae of H.