Abstract
The statement that the habitat complexity and structure govern the abundance and diversity of biological communities has been widely investigated. In this context, we assumed the hypothesis of habitat heterogeneity, that is, the higher habitat complexity leads to greater diversity of Odonata. In addition, we analyzed the influence of habitat structure on the distribution of this community, and evaluated the effects of abiotic variables. Odonata larvae were collected with sieves and by electrofishing in ten neotropical streams belonging to the Pirapó River basin. Forty species of Odonata were registered, which were distributed in eight families, Libellulidae stood out with the highest richness. The high gamma diversity and distribution of Odonata were associated with habitat heterogeneity in these streams. However, the abiotic variables also seem to affect the distribution of Odonata species, in view of the impact of the land use in the vicinity of streams.
Highlights
The heterogeneity in ecological systems arises from complex interactions that occur in spatial and temporal scales (Stevenson, 1997), influencing patterns of distribution, abundance and diversity and processes of predation, competition, dispersal and habitat selection (Palmer and Poff, 1997)
In urban streams we found higher percentages of artificial structures (17%) and pebbles (30%), while in rural streams, higher values were recorded for backwater (56%), canopy (95%) and branches and leaves (32%)
The high gamma diversity of Odonata in the streams corroborates the hypothesis that greater structural complexity increases the availability of niches, leading to a greater species diversity
Summary
The heterogeneity in ecological systems arises from complex interactions that occur in spatial and temporal scales (Stevenson, 1997), influencing patterns of distribution, abundance and diversity and processes of predation, competition, dispersal and habitat selection (Palmer and Poff, 1997). The “habitat heterogeneity hypothesis” assumes that structurally complex environments may provide more niches and forms of exploitation of environmental resources and increase species diversity (Tews et al, 2004). Studies such as by MacArthur and MacArthur (1961), for example, show that for bird species diversity in forests, the physical structure of a plant community of may be more important than plant species composition.
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