Relationships between length and weight of freshwater macroinvertebrates in Japan

Relationships between weight (W; dry weight) and length (L; head capsule width, total body length (L; head carapace length) were examined in 31 Japanese freshwater macroinvertebrate taxa, using the form W = aL(b). The relationships were expressed as data of the lowest taxonomic level and data of higher taxonomic levels. The length-weight relationships obtained in this study were similar to those obtained in North America and Europe at the lowest taxonomic level, whereas they could be different from those obtained in North America and Europe at the higher taxonomic levels. We suggest that researchers should make their own regressions for a target taxon or use the regression for the same taxon as possible lower taxonomic level in the local area.