Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
https://actalb.org/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X11023
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Original Article

Composition, life-history, and population dynamics of the Chironomidae from a tropical high-altitude stream (Saltana River, Ecuador)

Composição, história de vida e dinâmica populacional de Chironomidae de um riacho tropical de alta altitude (Rio Saltana, Equador)

Narcís Prat i Fornells; Andrea C. Encalada; Christian Villamarín; Blanca Ríos-Touma

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X11023 Acta Limnol. Bras. (Online), vol.36, e40, 2024
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Abstract

Aim: To study the composition and population dynamics of Chironomidae (Diptera) from a high-altitude tropical stream in Ecuador.

Methods: Samples were taken at Saltana River between April 2009 and November 2010. Physico-chemical parameters, such as flow, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, and temperature, were measured in each sampling campaign. Larvae and pupae sampling was conducted with a Hess sampler in different substrates. During each sampling campaign, adults were sampled using amphibious emergence traps for 24 hours. All materials collected were separated and classified in the laboratory. The biomass was calculated using the individual weight of the larvae of different instars multiplied by the density of each instar at each sample.

Results: A total of 18 larval taxa were found in 14 different genera in the benthic samples. The subfamily Orthocladiinae showed the highest richness (12 genera), followed by Podonominae, Diamesinae, and Chironominae, with two genera each. The most frequent taxa were Cricotopus sp.3, C. (Oliveiriella) rieradevallae, and Genus 1 sp.a. Total densities fluctuate very much from one month to another following the changes of the most abundant species, and only one species showed a relationship with the substrates. Biomass values are lower from June to August of both years, which matches the high flow season.

Conclusions: The Saltana River’s cold temperature (6-7 °C) and the flow variability determine the low richness, density and biomass throughout the year. It is unclear if individuals showed very short or long-life cycles due to constant temperature throughout the year. However, there is a clear asynchrony in life cycles due to the presence of emerging adults throughout the year.

Keywords

chironomids; mountain stream; community composition; Andes

Resumo

Objetivo: estudar a composição e a dinâmica populacional de Chironomidae (Diptera) de um riacho tropical de altitude no Equador.

Métodos: As amostras foram coletadas no rio Saltana entre abril de 2009 e novembro de 2010. Os parâmetros físico-químicos como fluxo, oxigênio dissolvido, condutividade, pH e temperatura foram medidos em cada campanha de amostragem. Larvas e pupas foram coletadas com um amostrador Hess em diferentes substratos. Já os adultos foram amostrados com armadilhas anfíbias de emergência por 24 horas durante cada campanha de amostragem. Todo o material coletado foi triado e identificado no laboratório. A biomassa foi calculada usando o peso individual das larvas de diferentes ínstares multiplicado pela densidade de cada ínstar em cada amostra.

Resultados: Um total de 18 táxons larvais foi encontrado em 14 gêneros diferentes nas amostras bentônicas. A subfamília Orthocladiinae apresentou a maior riqueza (12 gêneros), seguida por Podonominae, Diamesinae e Chironominae, com dois gêneros cada. Os táxons mais frequentes foram Cricotopus sp3, C. (Oliveiriella) rieradevallae e Genus 1 sp a. As densidades totais flutuaram muito de um mês para outro, seguindo as mudanças das espécies mais abundantes, e apenas uma espécie mostrou relação com os substratos. Os valores de biomassa são mais baixos de junho a agosto em ambos os anos, o que corresponde à estação de alto fluxo.

Conclusões: A temperatura fria do rio Saltana durante todo o ano (6-7 °C) e a variabilidade do fluxo determinam os baixos valores de riqueza e densidade. Não está claro se os indivíduos apresentaram ciclos de vida muito curtos ou longos devido à temperatura constante durante todo o ano. No entanto, há uma clara assincronia nos ciclos de vida devido à presença de adultos emergentes ao longo do ano.

Palavras-chave

quironomídeos; riachos de montanhas; composição de comunidades; Andes

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Submitted date:
12/14/2023

Accepted date:
09/10/2024

Publication date:
10/25/2024

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