Abstract
Small intermittent rivers are some of the most widespread types of water currents in the steppe zone. In the ecosystems of the intermittent rivers we have found 28 species of water bugs that compose the majority of the described fauna in the south Ukraine. Our study added two new species to the faunistic list of this zone (Sigara fossarum, Hydrometra gracilenta), and finally confirmed the presence of Micronecta scholtzi in Ukraine. We also studied the seasonal changes of biotopic distribution and quantitative characteristics of aquatic Heteroptera. It was shown thatfor water bugs the ecosystem of the small intermittent rivers consists of three closely connected components: the riverbed, the flooded areas and the extra inundated constant basins. During the droughty period when the riverbed is dry, the extra inundated basins (including artificial ones – sandy pits) serve as refugia. The wintering of many species takes place there, especially when the riverbed is not filled before the cold period. However, the reproduction of most species takes place in the riverbed and associated flooded areas. Thus, this work is a confirmation and development of the concept for “a uniform architectonic complex of a river valley”.
Highlights
The small intermittent rivers are some of the most widespread types of water currents in the south of Ukraine steppe zone
In the ecosystems of the intermittent rivers, we have found 28 species of water bugs from 9 families of Nepomorpha: Corixidae – 12 (Corixinae – 11, Cymatiinae – 1), Micronectidae – 1, Naucoridae - 1, Nepidae – 2, Notonectidae – 2, Pleidae – 1, and Gerromorpha: Gerridae – 6, Hebridae – 1, Hydrometridae – 1, Vellidae – 1 (Table 1)
Two new species are added to the faunistic list of this zone (Sigara fossarum, Hydrometra gracilenta) and new data on biology and presence of recently confirmed in Ukraine Micronecta scholtzi (Grandova and Prokin 2012) are added
Summary
The small intermittent rivers are some of the most widespread types of water currents in the south of Ukraine steppe zone. They and the associated water bodies serve as refugia for aquatic organisms (Dyadichko 2008, 2009), while valleys serve as “ecological corridors” for the distribution of species from other landscape-climatic zones (Gramma 1974), playing a significant role in formation and maintenance of biodiversity in the steppe zone. The overall studying of small intermittent rivers is essential for understanding the function of the entire steppe biocenosis. Special studies of aquatic Hemiptera in this region haven’t been carried out yet
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