Influence of different riparian vegetation widths and substrate types on the communities of larval Odonata (Insecta) in southern Brazilian streams

Abstract

Aim We assessed the influence of substrate type and categories of riparian vegetation widths on the community structure of Odonata (Insecta) in southern Brazilian streams. Methods Sampling took place in twelve stream reaches differing in their riparian vegetation widths (from more than 40 m up to less than 5 m). Larval odonates were collected in inorganic (stone and gravel) and organic (leaf litter) substrates at each stream reach. Differences in Odonata composition among substrates and categories of riparian vegetation width were tested using PERMANOVA and visualized with ordination diagrams. In addition, we assessed the influence of riparian vegetation width taking into account two levels of resolutions: fine (four categories: > 40 m, 30-15 m, 15-5 m and < 5 m) and coarse (narrower and broader than 15 m). Results Odonata composition differed more strongly according to substrate type regardless of the level of resolution. Organic substrate (litter) had different composition and higher richness than inorganic ones. Odonata composition significantly differed between riparian vegetation widths at the coarser level of resolution (narrower and broader than 15 m); at the coarser level, the interaction between substrate and riparian widths was significant, with the composition from litter substrate in broader widths differing from stone and gravel in narrower widths. Conclusions The composition of odonate larvae responded to the major reductions in riparian widths (above > 15 m), indicating that reductions above this level are enough to affect the community structure of Odonata. Additionally, the different composition of Odonata in organic substrates in broader riparian vegetation widths compared to inorganic substrates in narrower widths indicate a complex relationship between riparian vegetation and substrate in the assembly of insect communities in southern Brazilian forest streams. The interaction between riparian vegetation widths and substrate suggests that the effects of reductions in riparian widths on Odonata composition are not similar across substrate types.

Water Quality Influences Cerrado Odonata Larval Assemblages

“…They are also able to tolerate higher temperatures, lower oxygen levels, and increased light exposure (Fulan et al 2011;Silva et al 2021;Silva et al 2022). They prefer inorganic substrates (e.g., rocks and gravel) because of their creeping and burrowing tendencies (Carvalho e Nessimian 1998; Pires et al 2020a). Conversely, Zygoptera larvae show lower tolerance to environmental impacts (Ribeiro et al 2021) and prefer organic substrates (e.g., leaf litter, macrophytes) over other microhabitats.…”