Aquatic oligochaetes associated with bryophytes in an Atlantic Forest stream

Abstract

There are few reports in the literature about the colonization of benthic macroinvertebrates on bryophytes. The aim of the present study was to analyzed the oligochaetes established on bryophytes adhered to stones in a first-order stream. The collections were carried out in an Atlantic Forest fragment area during the dry and rainy seasons. We identified 15 taxa from a total of 422 oligochaetes specimens, of which the most abundant were Pristina sp.1, Enchytraeidae and Pristina jenkinae. Unlike other habitats, where the abundance of macroinvertebrates tends to be greater in the dry season, we did not find any significant differences in the abundance, richness, composition and diversity between the two periods. The results of this study indicate that bryophytes are possible areas of refuge for oligochaetes in periods of faster water flow. Keywords: lotic environments, preserved areas, mosses, hepatics, Naididae.Oligoquetas aquáticos associados a briófitas em um córrego de Mata Atlântica. Biota Neotrop. 13(4): http://www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v13n4/pt/abstract?shortcommunication+bn01113042013Resumo: Existem poucos registros na literatura sobre a colonização de macroinvertebrados bentônicos em briófitas. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a fauna de oligoquetas em briófitas aderidas a pedras em um córrego de primeira ordem. As coletas foram realizadas em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica durante os períodos seco e chuvoso. Foram identificados 15 taxa de um total de 422 espécimes de oligoquetas, sendo os mais abundantes Pristina sp.1, Enchytraeidae e Pristina jenkinae. Ao contrário de outros habitats, onde a abundância de macroinvertebrados tende a ser maior no período de estiagem, diferenças significativas na abundância, riqueza, composição e diversidade não foram observadas em relação aos dois períodos. Os resultados do presente estudo indicam que as briófitas são possíveis áreas de refúgio para os oligoquetas em período de maior corrente. Palavras-chave: ambientes lóticos, áreas preservadas, musgos, hepáticas, Naididae. Biota Neotrop., vol. 13, no. 4 submitted to the T-test for significant differences between the dry and rainy seasons, using the Statistica 7 program (Statsoft 2004). To verify differences in the faunal composition between the two seasons, analysis of similarity (Anosim) was performed with the R program (R Development Core Team 2011). Simple linear regression was used to test the relation between the dependent variables (abundance and richness) and the explanatory variable (water speed), also using the Statistica7 program. For this analysis, the data were transformed into log (x + 1). It is accepted p < 0.05 for all statistical tests. ResultsThe average monthly rainfall was greater in the rainy season (Figure 1), causing a significant increase (df= 5; Z= 2.930; p= 0.003) in the water speed. The air temperature, precipitation, water velocity and water depth values are reported in Table 1.Oligochaetes (422 specimens) belonging to the Naididae and Enchytraeidae families and the su...

Influence of bryophyte biomass and organic matter quantity on the abundance and richness of oligochaetes in forest streams with different phytophysiognomies in southeastern Brazil

“…The Oligochaeta are among the most diverse invertebrates that can be found in bryophytes (Gorni and Alves, 2007;Rodrigues et al, 2013b). Their presence is positively related to the biomass of these plants and the quantity of particulate organic matter retained among the phyllids and caulids (Suren, 1991;Suren and Winterboun, 1992;Linhart et al, 2002).…”

“…Therefore, the fauna present is a reflection of the local environmental conditions. In Brazil, specific studies of the oligochaete fauna associated with bryophytes are still rare, with the exceptions being the works of Gorni and Alves (2007) and Rodrigues et al (2013b). Also, Rosa et al (2011) investigated macroinvertebrates in bryophytes and also reported the presence of oligochaetes, with the most abundant family being Naididae.…”

Aquatic Oligochaeta (Annelida: Clitellata) from State of São Paulo, Brazil: Diversity and Occurrence review

“…However, the publication of books in the eightiesspecifically focused on the identification of oligochaetes in Brazil and South America (Righi 1984, Brinkhurst & Marchese 1989, respectively) --encouraged researches as Takeda (1999, Montanholi-Martins & Takeda (1999, , Alves & Strixino (2000), Pamplin et al (2005), Alves et al (2006Alves et al ( , 2008, Gorni & Alves (2008a, Martins & Alves (2010) and Rodrigues et al (2013aRodrigues et al ( , 2013b, which have broadened the knowledge on taxonomic and ecological aspects of these worms in Brazil.…”