Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to analyse the diversity and composition of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in the dry and rainy seasons in a Brazilian Cerrado stream, where it was hypothesized that the dry season has higher diversity and it differs in terms of organism composition in relation to the rainy season. Sampling was carried out in the dry (May and August/2016 and August/2017) and rainy seasons (November/2016 and February and November/2017). Individuals were identified at the family level and classified according to functional feeding group (FFG). There were 3,776 individuals, in which Chironomidae was the most abundant taxon with 2,226 organisms. The FFG with the highest number of individuals and species richness were collector-gatherer and predator, respectively. The species richness was higher in the dry season than in the rainy season. The ordinance generated by NMDS showed that there was no distinction in the composition of the assemblage between the dry and rainy seasons. Seasonal variations do not alter the abundance and composition of the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage, but the species richness does decrease in rainy seasons.
Highlights
This study aimed to analyse the diversity and composition of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in the dry and rainy seasons in a Brazilian Cerrado stream, where it was hypothesized that the dry season has higher diversity and it differs in terms of organism composition in relation to the rainy season
Seasonal variations do not alter the abundance and composition of the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage, but the species richness does decrease in rainy seasons
They can be classified according to their functional feeding group (FFG), which follows variation in the amount or quality of suitable food or factors determining the distribution of food resources (Wright & Li, 2002)
Summary
This study aimed to analyse the diversity and composition of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in the dry and rainy seasons in a Brazilian Cerrado stream, where it was hypothesized that the dry season has higher diversity and it differs in terms of organism composition in relation to the rainy season. Seasonal variations do not alter the abundance and composition of the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage, but the species richness does decrease in rainy seasons. Organisms living in freshwater ecosystems, as benthic macroinvertebrates, present an important behavioural, morphological and physiological adaptations that allow for the colonisation of habitats under adequate conditions for their survival (Esteves et al, 2011; Salles & FerreiraJúnior, 2014). They can be classified according to their functional feeding group (FFG), which follows variation in the amount or quality of suitable food or factors determining the distribution of food resources (Wright & Li, 2002). Streams are generally influenced by natural disturbances, which in turn, vary in space and time
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