Diversity Of Ephemeroptera Research Articles

Diversity and abundance of mayflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) in Achenkovil River, southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India

Freshwater insects like Ephemeroptera are more comprehensive and direct indicators of the biological impacts of pollution. During the study period (2018–2020), a total of 4,374 individuals of mayflies were collected and categorized under nine families, 27 genera, and 36 species. The family Leptophlebiidae was found dominant with 13 species. In the post-monsoon season, a higher species diversity of Ephemeroptera was noticed in the river’s upstream section with a Shannon-Wiener index value of H’ = 1.814. ANOVA revealed a significant difference (p <0.05) except for Ephemeridae (p >0.05). Protecting rivers requires a holistic approach and collaboration among stakeholders is essential for successful implementation.

Genetic diversity and climatic suitability over time of Baetodes huaico (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae)

In the Neotropical region, the genetic diversity and bioclimatic preferences of Ephemeroptera are poorly known mainly due to the lack of studies. We used the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene to examine the genetic structure of Baetodes huaico, an aquatic insect distributed in the Northwest of Argentina. Also, we performed an ecological niche modeling (ENM) to understand bioclimatic preferences and combine with the genetic data to understand historical dynamic distribution of B. huaico. We found that B. huaico populations are genetically structured into two distinct geographic groups. The ENM showed a distributional shift from south to north through time. Also, we recovered a stable region over time in the Southwest of Tucumán with the highest value of suitability and high genetic diversity; this region was previously proposed as a Pleistocene refuge. Our result suggests that the northern group was stable over time and underwent a recent demographic expansion coincident with a glacial refugium, whereas the southern group could have been affected by climatic fluctuations during. The results emphasize possible climatic influences in genetic population differentiation, and contributes to the knowledge of the genetic diversity of Ephemeroptera from subtropical Argentina laying the groundwork for future work for other freshwater insects in our region.

Longitudinal patterns of abundance, diversity and functional feeding guilds of benthic communities in East African tropical high‐altitude streams

AbstractIn temperate and tropical rivers, macroinvertebrates are commonly utilised for biological monitoring. Therefore, it is important to understand their functional feeding guilds and assemblage structure. However, there have been few studies in high‐altitude rivers in East Africa aimed at assessing macroinvertebrate functional guilds. In this study, we examined the macroinvertebrate assemblage characteristics using abundance/diversity metrics and the functional feeding groups (FFGs). We collected physicochemical data and macroinvertebrate samples at seven sites along the Gura River and three sites on the Sagana River. Dissolved oxygen concentration, water temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, ammonia, and soluble reactive phosphorus showed significant differences among the sites (p < 0.05). A total of 32 families belonging to 11 orders of macroinvertebrates were collected during the study period. Overall, scrapers were the most abundant FFG, dominated by Heptageniidae (Afronurus). Collector filters and collector gatherers were the second most abundant, while shredders and predators exhibited the least relative abundance. Across all the dominant orders, macroinvertebrate abundance decreased from upstream to downstream sites, with upstream sites exhibiting high diversity and abundance of Ephemeroptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, and Trichoptera taxa. Furthermore, the FFGs in this study differed widely from the River Continuum Concept predictions. Our findings provide crucial understanding of macroinvertebrate assemblage characteristics in high‐altitude rivers. Thus, this study provides additional evidence on the high abundance and diversity of Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera taxa in tropical rivers.

Reducing the deleterious effects of logging on Ephemeroptera communities through reduced impact management

Reduced impact logging has emerged as one alternative to reduce the effects of timber harvesting. However, the effects of this method on aquatic ecosystems still need to be tested. We studied the effects of logging (reduced-impact logging—RIL and conventional logging methods—CL) on the chemical water quality and physical habitat conditions of streams in eastern Amazonia, as well as on Ephemeroptera diversity. Were analyzed control streams (without logging—CONTROL), streams with RIL and streams with CL, located in the Capim River Basin. Specimens were collected using a dipnet, following a standard protocol and abiotic data were measured with a multiparameter probe. Conventional logging in proximity to streams increased the conductivity and pH of the water, reduced dissolved oxygen and canopy cover of the stream’s channel, altering the composition of Ephemeroptera when compared with CONTROL and RIL areas. We verified that specialist Ephemeroptera species within control environments were replaced by species more tolerant to changes in the natural habitat conditions. In contrast, there was species similarity between RIL and CONTROL streams.

Partitioning taxonomic diversity of aquatic insect assemblages and functional feeding groups in neotropical savanna headwater streams

Biological diversity can be divided into: alpha (α, local), beta (β, difference in assemblage composition among locals), and gamma (γ, total diversity). We assessed the partitioning of taxonomic diversity of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) and of functional feeding groups (FFG) in neotropical savanna (southeastern Brazilian cerrado) streams. To do so, we considered three diversity components: stream site (α), among stream sites (β1), and among hydrologic units (β2). We also evaluated the association of EPT genera composition with heterogeneity in land use, instream physical habitat structure, and instream water quality variables. The percentage of EPT taxonomic α diversity (20.7%) was smaller than the β1 and β2 diversity percentages (53.1% and 26.2%, respectively). The percentage of EPT FFG collector-gatherer α diversity (26.5%) was smaller than that of β1 diversity (55.8%) and higher than the β2 (17.7%) diversity. The collector-gatherer FFG was predominant and had the greatest β diversity percentage among stream sites (β1, 55.8%). Our findings support the need for implementing regional scale conservation strategies in the cerrado biome, which has been degraded by anthropogenic activities.

Diversity and ecological aspects of aquatic insect communities from montane streams in southern Brazil

AIMS: In this study, the diversity of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Coleoptera communities was surveyed in the Toropi River basin, a watershed localized in a slope region, in southernmost Brazil. The influence of some local abiotic factors on the most common genera was also analyzed. METHODS: Samplings were conducted at 40 sites in 1st-4th order streams, along a short elevation gradient (70-500 m), with a Surber sampler. Water physico-chemical factors, as well as substrate type, were obtained at each site. RESULTS: At all, 5,320 specimens were collected, belonging to 18 families and 52 genera. The caddisflies Austrotinodes and Celaenotrichia, and an undescribed Elmidae, Genus M, are new records for the region. The caddisfly Smicridea was the most frequent genus in the study area. The mayflies Camelobaetidius, Paracloeodes and Americabaetis were influenced by stream order. Smicridea was related to air temperature, while the mayfly Thraulodes was influenced by high levels of electrical conductivity. CONCLUSIONS: The high diversity found in the study area, compared to other Brazilian regions, reflects the environmental heterogeneity in the region. These data show that hydrographic basins in slope areas from extreme Southern Brazil sustain high levels of diversity of aquatic insect communities.

Studies on Distribution and Diversity of Nearshore Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera in Selected Lakes of Glacier National Park, Montana

ABSTRACT Surveys were performed to examine the diversity of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera in selected lakes in Glacier National Park, Montana, and to generate data for use by the National Park Service. Shallow shoreline sites were sampled by disturbing the bottom and examining the substratum. Published records and previously collected reference specimens were examined. Data were obtained from a total of 29 lakes, but 3 yielded no mayflies or stoneflies. Twelve genera and 21 species of Ephemeroptera, and 11 genera and 5 species of Plecoptera, were found. Most lakes sampled had a diverse fauna of both orders.

The Influence of Some Environmental Variables on Diversity of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera Assemblages - Vişeu Basin Case Study

ABSTRACT The study analyses the influence of certain biotope parameters, such as hydromorphological characteristics, channel modification, bank vegetation and riverine land use, on the diversity of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) larvae communities, in the case of the Vişeu Basin. The results show that river bed embankments, mineral substrate exploitation, and forest exploitation of the hillsides of the river basin cause a loss in diversity of EPT communities. Based on the principle that simplification of the structure of these communities has a negative impact on the self-regulating capacity of the lotic system, several steps are necessary in order to preserve the diversity of EPT communities in the types of Carpathian rivers analysed: preserving the natural morphodynamics of the river bed, limiting substrate exploitation, avoiding changes in the substrate structure due to the extraction of boulders and large cobbles from the riverbed and preserving riparian tree vegetation on the river banks.

The relationship between Ephemeroptera and presence of the white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes). Case study in the Poitou-Charentes region (France)

Nowadays, the distribution of the European native white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) is restricted, fragmented and mainly located in headwater streams. To preserve this indigenous species, it is necessary to characterize its habitat preferences. Although this species is endangered, little was known about its ecological requirements until recently. Recent studies conducted throughout its distribution area indicate that water pollution is the main cause of its disappearance. In particular, A. pallipes seems very sensitive to organic pollution. However, no study has focused on the macroinvertebrate assemblages that co-occur with A. pallipes. In this study, seven streams located in the Deux-Sevres Departement (western France) containing wild populations of A. pallipes were qualitatively sampled in April 2004 and Ephemeroptera were identified to species level. These sites were also sampled according to the French biotic index during the summer of 2004. Several chemical parameters were also analyzed e.g. Dissolved Oxygen, pH, Ca, Turbidity, UV 254mm , Conductivity, Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) The objectives of this study were: 1) to analyze the benthic invertebrate assemblage by determining the IBGN index in both reference zone (presence of A. pallipes) and zone without crayfish, 2) to identify the Ephemeroptera community in both zones to find some match with the presence of A. pallipes. The applied issue of this study is to use both physico-chemical criteria and Ephemeroptera communities to select suitable streams for a crayfish relocation program in the Poitou-Charentes region of France. It was found that (i) the IBGN scores did not separate the sites with/without A. pallipes (ii) Ephemeroptera diversity is statistically higher in sites with crayfish than in sites without (iii) there was a strong correlation between A. pallipes, species of Ephemeroptera mainly of Leptophlebiidae family (Habrophlebia fusca, Habrophlebia lauta and Paraleptophlebia submarginata) and dissolved oxygen at the study sites.

Diversity of macrobenthos in lowland streams: ecological determinants and taxonomic specificity

The present study contains the results of an investigation of the relationships between the environmental variables and the taxonomic diversity of common and important groups of benthic macrofauna: Chironomidae, Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Hirudinea and Gastropoda, collected from various types of bottom substrate in seven lowland streams of north-eastern Poland. Four metrics were used to express the diversity of the studied taxa in each sample as the examples of its four different aspects: species richness, rarity, Shannon-Weaver's diversity index and Pielou evenness index. The values of total species richness and Shannon-Weaver index were rarified by functional extrapolation with Michaelis-Menten asymptotic function chosen as a richness estimator. There are high differences in taxonomic diversity of benthic animals between the studied streams. The results of estimation of total species richness and total species diversity are mainly affected by the diversity of the taxon richest in species – larval Chironomidae and, to a lesser extent, Hirudinea. The total taxonomic diversity significantly correlates with the status of riparian vegetation and with the isolation of the sampling site, while the relationship with other environmental parameters, i.e. pollution and seasonality, is not significant. The diversity of Gastropoda and Hirudinea is significantly affected by pollution (positively), water depth and seasonality; whereas the diversity of Ephemeroptera and Chironomidae by the state of riparian vegetation, and that of Odonata by stream width and isolation of the site. The study presents and discusses reduced diversity of certain higher taxa as a result of a reduction in pollution loading to a stream with simultaneous unchanged values of the total diversity.

The Relationship Between Grazing, Erosion and Adult Aquatic Insects in Streams in Mongolia

Overgrazing along stream channels in Mongolia may impact streams by increasing stream channel erosion and in-stream sediments, water temperature, pH, and conductivity. Grazing and erosion impacts may impair stream insects. The Mongolian Aquatic Insect Survey sampled 250 streams during summer seasons in 2003-2006 and 2008. On-site identifi cations of aquatic insect families mostly based on collections of adults were recorded for each site, leading us to ask whether the family-level data were useful in biological assessment related to impacts and impairment from grazing and erosion. A double dendrogram based on hierarchical cluster analysis was used to fipatterns in sites and aquatic insect communities. Sites did not group by sampling period, but some sites did group by stream size and elevation. However, elevation was not a signifi cant predictor of variation in aquatic insect metrics. Analysis of variance was used to determine whether insect metrics and water quality variables varied signifi cantly between categories of erosion in the stream channel. Plecoptera and Diptera richness decreased with increased erosion and Percent Diptera Richness was the only aquatic insect metric to vary signifi cantly between categories of erosion along the stream channel. Water temperature, conductivity, and pH also signifi cantly increased with increased erosion. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine whether aquatic insect metrics could be predicted by variation in landscape, water quality and stream reach variables. Trichoptera, Ephemeroptera, and Coleoptera richness increased with increased erosion, conductivity, and pH, but not signifi cantly. Percent Diptera Richness formed the only signifi cant model in the multiple regression analysis, with conductivity the only signifi cant predictor of variation in Percent Diptera Richness. Family-level data generated in the fi eld indicated that sampling for Trichoptera and Ephemeroptera diversity would be maximized by sampling streams undergoing intermediate levels of disturbance from grazing and erosion, that sampling for the Diptera and Plecoptera diversity would be maximized by sampling streams with less erosion and grazing, and that Diptera richness was impaired by erosion related to grazing in Mongolian streams.

Gradients in regional diversity of freshwater taxa

Opinion about latitudinal diversity gradients in freshwater fauna has varied over past decades. Global data have been compiled for diversity of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera at the site scale, but no assessment of global variability in regional diversity has been done for any taxon except fish. Global variation cannot be inferred from site-scale data because the relationship between site and regional diversity is not necessarily linear. We have assembled global data on regional diversity for 7 freshwater taxa. Here, we plot diversity against regional area, develop diversity–area regressions, and then plot the residuals against latitude to investigate latitudinal diversity gradients. The existence and directions of gradients vary substantially among taxa. For Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera, significant latitudinal gradients exist, and diversity is greater at higher latitudes. For Trichoptera and Caudata, latitudinal gradients are not apparent, although taxa within the Caudata show distinct patterns. For Odonata, Osteichthyes, and Anura, latitudinal gradients are highly significant, and diversity is greatest at low latitudes. A clear distinction between the life cycles of tropically diverse taxa and of other taxa (excluding fish) is a long terrestrial phase in the tropically diverse taxa (e.g., Odonata). We discuss reasons for the gradients and this contrast in ecological and evolutionary contexts (e.g., habitat complexity and cross-habitat adaptation).

Composition and diversity of Ephemeroptera (Insecta) nymph communities in the middle section of the Jacuí River and some tributaries, southern Brazil

The taxonomic composition and diversity of assemblages of Ephemeroptera nymphs of four lotic environments in the central region of State of Rio Grande do Sul, a subtropical area in southern Brazil, were evaluated. Samplings were done monthly, with a Surber sampler, from June 2001 to May 2002, in the Jacuí River and three of its tributaries. The total number of nymphs collected in the four sampling sites was 11,007 in five families and 19 genera, of these, 11 are new records for the State. The highest diversity occurred in Point 4 (H'=2.41) and the lowest in Point 2 (H'=1.69). Point 4 had the highest environmental stability, conservation of the riparian vegetation and the lowest anthropic impact, while Point 2 presented a large environmental simplification due to a direct anthropic influence (e.g. domestic sewerage, trampling by cattle). The diversity of nymphs observed in the total area is high, compared to the estimated maximum theoretical diversity; a result of the high evenness and richness recorded. Rarefaction curves, calculated for a sample of 1,018 specimens, showed a similar expectation of richness for the four sampling sites. This result seems to be associated with the overall environmental homogeneity of the region caused by long-term alterations (land use and deforestation). In summary, higher diversity of Ephemeroptera nymph assemblages seems to be associated with habitat complexity, a good vegetation cover and a lower anthropic influence.

Fauna of Ephemeroptera in the running waters of west Serbia

During the period 1988 - 1996 the Ephemeroptera diversity in West Serbia was studied. These investigations included 124 springs, considerable number of spring regions, as well as rivers: the Susica, Djetinja, Skrapez Pocibrava, Banja, Gradac, Jablanica, Obnica and Kolubara. Total of 45 taxa belonging to 8 families were identified. At the majority of sampling locations: Baetis rhodani, Baetis sp., Ecdyonurus sp., Ephemera danica Ephemerella ignita, Caenis moesta, Habroleptoides modesta and Ilhitrogena semicolorata were present. The smallest Ephemeroptera diversity in the studied waters was recorded in springs and the greatest one in middle parts of the mountain running waters.