Modificaciones longitudinales en la organización de las comunidades de macroinvertebrados bentónicos en ríos permanentes del Bosque Seco Tropical Ecuatoriano.

Abstract

Abstract:Ecology of the rivers located in the tropical dry forest is little known. In this study, our objective was exploring the longitudinal patterns in structure, functional organization and taxonomic composition of benthic macroinvertebrates. We evaluated the community of benthic macroinvertebrates of four rivers located in the TDF of southern Ecuador. Three sampling stations were located along each river. Also, physicochemical, hydromophological, habitat quality and riparian vegetation quality parameters were recorded during the dry season. Water temperature and concentration of total coliforms increased with the longitudinal gradient, while turbidity decreased. The richness and density of individuals showed significant variations along the gradient only in two sampled rivers. Collectors, scrapers and shredders reported significant longitudinal differences in all the rivers. The composition of species and their abundance shows a progressive longitudinal change. Results suggest that the structure and functional organization of the community of benthic macroinvertebrates in BST Rivers undergo longitudinal changes but these changes do not follow a single longitudinal pattern. In conclusion, the assembly of the macroinvertebrate community in tropical dry forest rivers shows complex relationships that must be studied.