Biodiversity, DNA barcoding data and ecological traits of caddisflies (Insecta, Trichoptera) in the catchment area of the Mediterranean karst River Cetina (Croatia)

Abstract

The environmental and faunistic research conducted included defining the composition and distribution of caddisflies collected using ultraviolet (UV) light trap at 11 stations along the Cetina River, from the spring to the mouth, and also along its tributaries the Ruda River and the Grab River with two sampling stations each, and the Rumin River with one station. The research was conducted in the period from August 2004 until August 2005 on the Cetina and the Ruda rivers, and from April 2007 to September 2007 on the Grab and the Rumin rivers. A total of 71 caddisfly species and 10,048 individuals were recorded in the study area. Results of the composition and structure of caddisflies were processed with statistical methods using the NMDS analysis. There were differences in the composition of caddisflies in the upper, middle and lower reaches. The paper also presents some ecological features of caddisflies, such as seasonal dynamics and diversity of caddisflies communities. Results of this work contribute to faunistic and ecological knowledge of Croatian caddisflies.