Hong Kong Chironomidae Project
Environment and Conservation Fund: Hong Kong Chironomidae biodiversity: an initial assessment of the largest freshwater insect group and their link with ecologically important stream conservation
This webpage provides a semi-regular (roughly every 2 months) update on the, currently, ongoing ECF funded Hong Kong Chironomidae project
Project Summary: Chironomids are the most abundant insect species in freshwater ecosystems with a widespread diversity and functionality. Their importance as bioindicators for water quality, pollution control functionality and service as primary food source for fish, birds and mammals is we documented. Hong Kong Chironomidae biodiversity, life histories and distributions are unknown, however.
This study will provide the first survey of Hong Kong Chironomidae biodiversity, particularly for presently defined Ecologically Important Streams (EIS). Our aims are to 1) Initially characterize the Chironomidae biodiversity across Hong Kong 2) Assess the temporal and spatial variation of Chironomidae species found across Hong Kong 3) Test the feasibility of an environmental DNA (eDNA) assessment of Chironomidae biodiversity for Hong Kong EISs
Overall this project will fill a key knowledge gap on the most overlooked species group within Hong Kong. We anticipated the discovery of 500-800 species across Hong Kong, which would provide a valuable source of information related to the Hong Kong Biodiversity Action Plan (BSAP). Furthermore, this project will provide initial information regarding water quality links to species occurrence and abundances and allow for an initial assessment of molecular based biodiversity assessment, which is rapidly gaining traction for many government and private agencies across the globe.
Meet the Team
Prof. Mat Seymour
PI - HKU
Dr. Han Wu
Postdoc - HKU
Chan Tsz Ying Elaine
RPG - HKU
Prof. Hongqu Tang
Collaborator - Jinan University
Prof. Xiao-Long Lin
Collaborator - Shanghai Ocean University
Progress and Outcomes
October 2023 - Pre-project Experiment Setup - We initiated the malaise trap sampling in November, three months before the official project start date. Elaine did an amazing job coordinating the early survey campaign. Elaine attended the Chironomid symposium in Huanggang, Wuhan, organized by Prof Fu Yue
December 2023 - Trap survey is ongoing. Elaine and Mat visited Prof. Tang and Dr. Han Wu at Jinan University to initiate collaboration and to provide Elaine training in Chironomidae taxonomy from Prof. Tang. Very excited to have Han Wu join the team at the beginning of the new year. Initial coarse sorting of the malaise traps samples is ongoing with promising preliminary indications of high Chironomidae biodiversity with crucial guidance from Prof. Tang and Prof. Lin.
February 2024 - The Project has now officially started (1 January) with Malaise traps in place at all 15 sampling sites and samples being collected every two weeks. Dr. Han Wu has successfully defended his PhD thesis and will be joining us after the Chinese New Year. Identification of Orthocladiinae (photo) with assistance from Prof. Tang and Prof. Lin.
April 2024 - Han Wu has officially started his post-doc position, bringing valuable taxonomic expertise to the group. 8 Months of malaise trap sampling has been successfully carried out and the first set of eDNA, kicknet, exuviae and light trap samples have now been collected.
June 2024 - Han Wu has made extensive progress in updating the species list and initiating the barcode database. Including processing of slide vouchers (>350 slides), digital vouchers (>1500 photos), 110 specimen DNA extracted, 60 specimens barcodes generated quality checked and uploaded to the database (~ 35 species). Many thanks to Prof. Tang for helping to verify species identification. Elaine presented recent findings from the survey work during the E&B seminar, winning the audience choice award.
August 2024 - The second set of light trap, eDNA, exuviae and kick net samples have been completed. The first set of samples have been fully sorted. Dr. Han Wu is busy developing a preliminary identification key based on the initial samples. Elaine is busy preparing for her her qualifying seminar in between sorting and laboratory work.
October 2024 - Our initial malaise trap sampling is nearing the 12 month mark. Elaine and Han Wu, along with our student helpers have carried out the third set of light trapping and eDNA sampling. A full catalogue of species from one stream (out of 5) has been completed with over 500 photographs, 96 specimen slides and 105 species across 4 subfamilies (including barcodes). The second stream cataloguing is underway.
