Seasonal Evaluation of Eastern Mediterranean Basin Ephemeroptera (Insecta) Fauna and Water Quality with Physicochemical Parameters and Benthic Metrics

Abstract

In this study, it is aimed to reveal the ecological water quality of the stations by evaluating the Eastern Mediterranean Basin Ephemeroptera fauna and water quality through the physicochemical variables at the determined stations and the benthic metrics developed for the Eastern Mediterranean Basin. For this purpose, field studies were carried out by determining 20 different localities in the spring, summer and autumn seasons in 2019. A total of 965 individuals were examined and 17 species belonging to seven families were identified. Species diversity at stations is highest and lowest, respectively, according to Shannon-Wiener (H) values; in the spring period at the 6th (1.55) and 9th (0.15) stations, in the summer period at the 15th (1.46) and 9th (0.29) stations, in the autumn period at the 12th (1.01) and 3rd (0.22) stations were calculated. According to cluster cluster analysis; while the highest similarities were calculated (100%) between the 1st, 2nd, 8th stations and the 10th and 19th stations, including the same species, it was determined that the 18th station differed from all other stations. According to ANOSIM results; while a significant difference was observed between the spring and summer and autumn seasons in terms of the distribution of the species, no significant difference was found between the summer and autumn seasons. According to the MANOVA result, while there was no significant difference between the spring and autumn seasons in terms of temperature variable, it was found to be significant in other seasons combinations. While the pH variable created a significant difference between summer and autumn seasons, it did not make a difference in other seasons combinations. Dissolved oxygen and total nitrogen variables showed significant differences in all season combinations. In terms of the final index results calculated on benthic metrics; determined the 1st, 9th, 11th, 13th, 18th and 20th stations were moderate, the 7th and 8th stations were poor, while all other stations were good or high water quality.