The relationship between macrobenthic invertebrates and those associated with Plants (Myirophyllum spicatum) in River Nile at Qanater region, Egypt

Abstract

The present work aims to study relationship between macrobenthic invertebrates and those associated with the dominant submerged plant (Myirophyllum spicatum) in River Nile at Qanater region and comparing between them. Also, some physico-chemical parameters were studied during different seasons at the investigated sites. In addition to, macroinvertebrates it was correlated with some physico-chemical parameters. The maximum occurrence of macrobenthic invertebrates (2004 org./m2) was recorded during spring and the minimum (460 org. /m2) occurred during winter. This might be due to the highest number of Annelids (944 org. /m2) and molluscs (1027 org. /m2) during spring. The highest average number of macrobenthic invertebrates associated with the macrophytes (M. spicatum) was recorded during spring and it was mainly represented by arthropods populations (3366 org./m2) with the highest number of Insecta. The macrobenthic invertebrates comprised the highest number of species (18 species) belong to 3 groups including phylum Annelida (5 species), phylum Mollusca (10 species) and phylum Arthropoda (3 species). On the other hand, the macroinvertebrates associated with M. spicatum comprised 16 species belong to 3 groups; phylum Arthropoda (13 species), phylum Annelida (2 species) and phylum Mollusca (1 species). The present results indicated the presence of high positive correlation between the number of the macrobenthic invertebrates and those associated with the macrophytes (M. spicatum).