Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Non-Biting Midge Larvae Assemblages in Streams in a Mountainous Region in Southern Brazil

Abstract

The spatial and temporal structure of non-biting midge (Diptera: Chironomidae) larvae assemblages and some environmental factors that affect their distribution were analyzed in a montane river and its tributaries in a temperate climate region of southernmost Brazil. In total, 69 taxa were recorded after four seasonal samplings (winter, spring, summer, and autumn). The dominant taxa were Rheotanytarsus sp. 1, Rheotanytarsus sp. 2, Cricotopus sp. 2, and Polypedilum (Polypedilum) sp., although dominance varied among the four sampling sites. The variations in dominance, abundance, and richness among the different sites were affected by environmental characteristics, such as the presence of marginal vegetation and a heterogeneous substratum, and also by human activities. Strictly environmental factors, such as altitude, and factors related to annual weather patterns, such as mean temperature and precipitation, influenced the spatial and temporal distribution of certain taxa and the structure of faunal assemblages. The influence of the riparian vegetation and riverbed heterogeneity on the composition, richness, and abundance of the chironomid larvae assemblages indicates that human activities, such as deforestation and the construction of dams, constitute a serious threat to the conservation of these insects and to the fauna that depends on them for food.

Changes in Microbiota Composition Along the Metamorphosis Developmental Stages of Chironomus transvaalensis

“…They can tolerate extreme temperature, pH, salinity, depth, and current velocity, and even dehydration and UV and gamma radiation (Ali, 1991;Halpern, 2012, 2013;Nath, 2015, 2016). Chironomids are an important component of the food chain as a food source for invertebrates, fish, and birds (Floss et al, 2013).…”

Produktivitas Sekunder Organisme Bentik (Ordo Diptera) di Sungai Cigambreng, Desa Tapos, Kecamatan Tenjolaya, Kabupaten Bogor, Jawa Barat

“…Sehingga organisme banyak yang hanyut terbawa arus aliran air. Floss et al (2013) menyatakan variasi dominansi, kemelimpahan, dan kekayaan spesies di akibatkan oleh karakteristik lingkungan, yang melingkupi kehadiran vegetasi tepian dan substrat yang heterogen dan juga aktivitas manusia.…”

Profiling Analysis of Filter Feeder Polypedilum (Chironomidae) Gut Contents Using eDNA Metabarcoding Following Contrasting Habitat Types—Weir and Stream

“…As Vasquez et al (2022) [ 2 ] mentioned, chironomids are the biological indicators of aquatic health, the prevalence of ecological organization, functions, and systematics. Chironomids are sensitive to extreme conditions and their presence represents quality factors of the environment [ 3 ]. Genus Polypedilum is well known for its physiology among the Chironomidae family.…”