Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Diversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 48217

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A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

University of Zagreb, Faculty of Teacher Education, Trg Matice Hrvatske 12, HR-44250 Petrinja, Croatia
Interests: aquatic insects; biodiversity; community ecology; Ephemeroptera; Odonata; Plecoptera; Megaloptera; wildlife conservation
The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
Interests: Ephemeroptera; stream ecology; insect conservation; invasive species; taxonomy; community ecology
Museum of zoology, Palais de Rumine, Place de la Riponne 6, 1014 Lausanne, Switzerland
Interests: integrative taxonomy; species delimitation; phylogenetics; freshwater macroinvertebrates; Ephemeroptera; bioindication

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Diversity journal is launching a Special Issue dedicated to “Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation Challenges”.

Freshwater habitats cover less than 1% of the Earth’s surface, yet they accommodate 10% of all known animal species. Among them, over 60% belong to aquatic insects, with approximately 100,000 described extant species. They spend one or more stages of their lifecycle in aquatic habitats, with the majority moving to terrestrial ones as adults. Almost exclusively aquatic in their immature stages are Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Odonata. Several other insect orders, such as Diptera, Coleoptera, Neuroptera, Hemiptera, and Megaloptera, also have many aquatic representatives. Aquatic insects play important ecological roles in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats as primary consumers, detritivores, and predators. Moreover, as they dominate in terms of biomass and productivity, they represent an important food resource for a vast number of aquatic and terrestrial predators. Composition and structure of their communities are closely related to habitat type, abiotic parameters (e.g., water temperature, water level, and velocity), predation, microhabitat (substrate) composition, and available food resources. Many aquatic insects, such as mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies, have been shown to be highly sensitive to anthropogenic alterations of their habitats and have been widely used as valuable taxonomic groups for biomonitoring programs worldwide. Some aquatic insects are ecologically well studied due to their role as disease vectors.

Although the efforts of aquatic entomologists have tremendously increased during the 21st century, much remains to be discovered. Our knowledge regarding aquatic insects is still far from complete, both in natural systems, such as springs, rivers, streams, lakes, and in artificial habitats, such as irrigation canals and human-made lakes (e.g., reservoirs, gravel pits, recreational lakes). For this Special Issue, we invite submissions that address all aspects of biodiversity of aquatic insects, from genetic through taxonomic and species diversity. Moreover, articles addressing the topics of aquatic insects’ ecological features, such as their relation to environmental factors, ecological traits, trophic interactions, distribution patterns, and population dynamics, are highly welcomed. Finally, we highly encourage researchers to contribute to this issue with their studies on the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances on aquatic insects’ diversity and ecology. We hope this issue will include a wide taxonomic range of aquatic insects, as well as proper representation of biomes, continents, and countries.

Dr. Marina Vilenica
Dr. Zohar Yanai
Dr. Laurent Vuataz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • species richness
  • alpha, beta, and gamma diversity
  • lotic habitats
  • lentic habitats
  • community ecology
  • environmental factors
  • microhabitats
  • spatial and temporal patterns
  • conservation
  • anthropogenic impact
  • threats

Published Papers (16 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 909 KiB  
Editorial
Introduction to the Special Issue “Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation Challenges”
by Marina Vilenica, Laurent Vuataz and Zohar Yanai
Diversity 2022, 14(7), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14070573 - 18 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1864
Abstract
In non-marine environments, insects comprise one of the most species-rich and abundant groups of organisms [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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Research

Jump to: Editorial

9 pages, 1479 KiB  
Article
Is Coloburiscidae (Ephemeroptera) Monophyletic? A Comparison of Datasets
by Jarod Meecham and T. Heath Ogden
Diversity 2022, 14(7), 505; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14070505 - 22 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1636
Abstract
Coloburiscidae consists of three living genera with a Gondwanan distribution—Coloburiscoides from Australia, Coloburiscus from New Zealand, and Murphyella from Chile. Molecular-based phylogenetic analyses of Ephemeroptera (mayflies) have been somewhat successful in resolving many higher-level relationships in the order. Most of these analyses, [...] Read more.
Coloburiscidae consists of three living genera with a Gondwanan distribution—Coloburiscoides from Australia, Coloburiscus from New Zealand, and Murphyella from Chile. Molecular-based phylogenetic analyses of Ephemeroptera (mayflies) have been somewhat successful in resolving many higher-level relationships in the order. Most of these analyses, however, have been ambiguous with respect to the family Coloburiscidae. This study presents the first phylogenetic analysis specific to Coloburiscidae using data generated from 448 phylogenomic sequences and data generated from the Sanger sequencing of five genes: 12S, 16S, 18S, 28S, and H3. Bayesian and likelihood analyses were conducted on each dataset and, ultimately, on a combined dataset of the two. Coloburiscidae was shown to be supported as monophyletic in each instance where the phylogenomic data were included. Coloburiscoides was shown as sister to Murphyella + Coloburiscus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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19 pages, 7436 KiB  
Article
Diversity and Distribution of Mayflies from Morocco (Ephemeroptera, Insecta)
by Majida El Alami, Sara El Yaagoubi, Jean-Luc Gattolliat, Michel Sartori and Mohamed Dakki
Diversity 2022, 14(6), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14060498 - 19 Jun 2022
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2623
Abstract
Recent research in various Moroccan areas allowed an update and a revision of the Moroccan Ephemeroptera checklist. In this case, 54 species are now listed, belonging to 10 families and 26 genera. The distribution of all studied species is discussed, as well as [...] Read more.
Recent research in various Moroccan areas allowed an update and a revision of the Moroccan Ephemeroptera checklist. In this case, 54 species are now listed, belonging to 10 families and 26 genera. The distribution of all studied species is discussed, as well as their biogeographical affinities. Moroccan Mayflies are characterized by a clear dominance of Mediterranean elements with a strong rate of endemism (33.4%). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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14 pages, 2619 KiB  
Article
The Gerromorpha (Heteroptera: Gerridae, Mesoveliidae, Veliidae) of Mangroves of Central and Eastern Regions, Thailand
by La-au Nakthong and Akekawat Vitheepradit
Diversity 2022, 14(6), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14060466 - 10 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2163
Abstract
The Gerromorpha assemblages in mangroves located in the central and eastern regions of Thailand were examined, and a total of nine species belonging to six genera and three families were discovered. Four of the recorded species are new records for Thailand. Asclepios annandalei [...] Read more.
The Gerromorpha assemblages in mangroves located in the central and eastern regions of Thailand were examined, and a total of nine species belonging to six genera and three families were discovered. Four of the recorded species are new records for Thailand. Asclepios annandalei Distant, 1915 was the most common species and widely distributed throughout the study area. The most diverse genus was Xenobates, which consisted of Xenobates argentatus Andersen, 2000, Xenobates mandai Andersen, 2000, Xenobates murphyi Andersen, 2000, and Xenobates singaporensis Andersen, 2000. Three of these species are new country records. Here, we present taxonomic and ecological information of mangrove gerromorphans in the central and eastern regions of Thailand. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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14 pages, 3213 KiB  
Article
Species Composition of Aquatic (Nepomorpha) and Semiaquatic (Gerromorpha) Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand
by Sajeemat Attawanno and Akekawat Vitheepradit
Diversity 2022, 14(6), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14060462 - 09 Jun 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1850
Abstract
The species composition of aquatic (Nepomorpha) and semiaquatic (Gerromorpha) Heteroptera were examined from protected and unprotected study sites in three streams associated with Kaeng Krachan National Park. At each stream, both quantitative and qualitative sampling methods were used during seven collecting events (November [...] Read more.
The species composition of aquatic (Nepomorpha) and semiaquatic (Gerromorpha) Heteroptera were examined from protected and unprotected study sites in three streams associated with Kaeng Krachan National Park. At each stream, both quantitative and qualitative sampling methods were used during seven collecting events (November 2018 to June 2020). A total of 11 families, representing 33 genera and 60 species, were collected in this study, with more Nepomorpha families but higher species richness in Gerromorpha. The species richness of both protected and unprotected sampling sites were lowest during the fifth sampling event. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in richness between protected and unprotected sampling sites for any sampling event based on a paired t-test analysis. Based on an nMDS analysis, the patterns of species composition of aquatic and semiaquatic heteropterans were unclear among protected and unprotected sampling sites. The use of aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera as bioindicators for habitat quality is still uncertain. Additional physiochemical characters of the water and physical characters of the stream may lead to a clearer picture of the relationship between aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera and stream habitat quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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12 pages, 5497 KiB  
Article
Taxonomy and Distribution of the Gomphid Dragonfly Orientogomphus minor (Laidlaw, 1931) (Odonata: Gomphidae) in Thailand
by Damrong Chainthong and Boonsatien Boonsoong
Diversity 2022, 14(4), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14040291 - 12 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2640
Abstract
The taxonomy and distribution of Orientogomphus minor (Laidlaw, 1931) were investigated in Thailand. Gomphid nymphs were collected from 28 sampling sites in streams in eastern, western, and southern Thailand. The nymph of O. minor is described for the first time and the male [...] Read more.
The taxonomy and distribution of Orientogomphus minor (Laidlaw, 1931) were investigated in Thailand. Gomphid nymphs were collected from 28 sampling sites in streams in eastern, western, and southern Thailand. The nymph of O. minor is described for the first time and the male is re-described and illustrated based on a reared specimen. The taxonomic characteristics of the nymphs of the genus Orientogomphus are discussed. The nymph of O. minor differs from that of O. armatus Chao & Xu, 1987, the only other Orientogomphus species with a described nymphal stage, by the presence of lateral spines on abdominal segments six to nine and by a slender, stick-shaped third antennal segment. Multivariate analyses revealed a strong correlation between the distribution of O. minor and other three gomphid species with restricted distribution in Thailand (Nychogomphus duaricus (Fraser, 1924), Onychogomphus louissiriusi Fleck, 2020 and Stylogomphus thongphaphumensis Chainthong, Sartori & Boonsoong, 2020). Those species were recorded solely in streams in the western part of the country. Nymphs of O. minor were predominantly associated with stony substrates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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15 pages, 2809 KiB  
Article
Diversity of Periphytic Chironomidae on Different Substrate Types in a Floodplain Aquatic Ecosystem
by Dubravka Čerba, Miran Koh, Barbara Vlaičević, Ivana Turković Čakalić, Djuradj Milošević and Milica Stojković Piperac
Diversity 2022, 14(4), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14040264 - 31 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2112
Abstract
Different types of water bodies in lowland river floodplains represent vital biodiversity havens and encompass diverse microhabitats, which are essential for structuring different macroinvertebrate communities. Chironomidae larvae (Diptera) are an inseparable part of these communities, with their high richness and abundance. In three [...] Read more.
Different types of water bodies in lowland river floodplains represent vital biodiversity havens and encompass diverse microhabitats, which are essential for structuring different macroinvertebrate communities. Chironomidae larvae (Diptera) are an inseparable part of these communities, with their high richness and abundance. In three water body types within the Danube floodplain Kopački Rit in Croatia, over the course of four sampling campaigns, we recorded 51 chironomid taxa in periphyton on macrophytes, twigs, and glass slides. The most diverse were chironomid communities on macrophytes, whilst month-old periphyton on twigs supported the least taxa. Cricotopus gr. sylvestris, Dicrotendipes lobiger, Dicrotendipes spp., Endochironomus albipennis, Glyptotendipes pallens agg., Polypedilum sordens and Polypedilum spp. were present in all studied microhabitats. The type of substrate is a very important factor influencing Chironomidae diversity and abundance, which was evident in the presence and dominance of Corynoneura gr. scutellata and Monopelopia tenuicalcar in the dense macrophyte canopy epiphyton. Finding pristine floodplains such as Kopački Rit can be very challenging, as such areas are increasingly altered by human activities. Studies of resident species and the extent to which changes in the parent river influence floodplain communities are important for the protection and restoration of the floodplains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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16 pages, 2927 KiB  
Article
Diversity Patterns and Assemblage Structure of Non-Biting Midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Urban Waterbodies
by Nataša Popović, Nikola Marinković, Dubravka Čerba, Maja Raković, Jelena Đuknić and Momir Paunović
Diversity 2022, 14(3), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14030187 - 04 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2154
Abstract
Urban waters are often neglected in biodiversity research; nonetheless, the number of aquatic microhabitats present in a city and the surrounding urban area is impressive. Twenty-two waterbodies in the Belgrade functional urban area (FUA) were investigated for faunistic and diversity patterns and to [...] Read more.
Urban waters are often neglected in biodiversity research; nonetheless, the number of aquatic microhabitats present in a city and the surrounding urban area is impressive. Twenty-two waterbodies in the Belgrade functional urban area (FUA) were investigated for faunistic and diversity patterns and to assess the effects of environmental factors on the differentiation of Chironomidae assemblages. A total of 66 chironomid taxa within four subfamilies was identified. Water quality at the studied sites, expressed by the water pollution index (WPI), varied significantly. K-means clustering gave four homogenous groups of chironomid assemblages, which showed clear preferences to specific habitat conditions and tolerance to anthropogenic pressures. These groups had high values of alpha and beta diversity components. The main component of beta diversity was species turnover. Waterbody type, water temperature, pH, nutrients and overall pollution were the most important factors influencing the distribution and composition of chironomid assemblages, which revealed clear preferences of each assemblage type to the category of waterbody type and tolerances to environmental pressures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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14 pages, 23970 KiB  
Article
Diversification in the Comoros: Review of the Laccophilus alluaudi Species Group with the Description of Four New Species (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)
by Johannes Bergsten and Olof Biström
Diversity 2022, 14(2), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14020081 - 25 Jan 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2840
Abstract
The Laccophilus alluaudi species group is an interesting case of an endemic species radiation of Madagascar and the Comoros. To date, a single species, Laccophilus tigrinus Guignot, 1959 (Anjouan), is known from the Comoro Islands, with eight other species known from Madagascar. Here [...] Read more.
The Laccophilus alluaudi species group is an interesting case of an endemic species radiation of Madagascar and the Comoros. To date, a single species, Laccophilus tigrinus Guignot, 1959 (Anjouan), is known from the Comoro Islands, with eight other species known from Madagascar. Here we review the Laccophilus alluaudi species group from the Comoro Islands based on partly new material. We recognize five species, out of which four are here described as new: L. mohelicus n. sp. (Mohéli), L. denticulatus n. sp. (Grande Comore), L. michaelbalkei n. sp. (Mayotte) and L. mayottei n. sp. (Mayotte). Based on morphology of male genitalia, we hypothesize that the five species form a monophyletic group and originated from a single colonization event from Madagascar. If confirmed, this would constitute one of the few examples of intra-archipelago diversification in the Comoros. The knowledge of species limits in relation to their distribution in the Comoros archipelago is also urgently needed in the face of rapid habitat degradation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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10 pages, 1017 KiB  
Article
The Stoneflies (Insecta: Plecoptera) of Israel: Past, Present, Future…?
by Zohar Yanai
Diversity 2022, 14(2), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14020080 - 24 Jan 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2277
Abstract
Of the more than 3900 described species worldwide, stoneflies (order Plecoptera) are represented in Israel, a semi-arid country, by as few as five species. As a group of highly sensitive aquatic insects, they are restricted to the northernmost watershed of the Sea of [...] Read more.
Of the more than 3900 described species worldwide, stoneflies (order Plecoptera) are represented in Israel, a semi-arid country, by as few as five species. As a group of highly sensitive aquatic insects, they are restricted to the northernmost watershed of the Sea of Galilee, where the most pristine streams in Israel are found. The Israeli stoneflies are not often collected in the field, and they have not been recorded in the literature in the last 30 years. In order to provide an up-to-date picture, I gathered the available historical records of the local fauna, as well as all verified data from the last decade, and compared the two datasets. Despite the unprecedented efforts that have recently been invested in studying freshwater macroinvertebrates in Israel, a sharp decrease in stonefly occurrence is evident. Whilst the populations of three species have dramatically declined (Protonemura zernyi, Leuctra hippopus, and L. kopetdaghi), the remaining two have not been collected at all in over four decades and are considered locally extinct (Brachyptera galeata and Marthamea beraudi). These findings highlight the joint impact of multiple stressors on the stream system in the Sea of Galilee Watershed—namely, stream pollution and water diversion on the local level and climate change on the global level. If the current trends continue, there is a great concern that the entire local stonefly fauna will become extinct, and many stream-dwelling taxa may follow soon after. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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21 pages, 2864 KiB  
Article
Aquatic Macrophyte Vegetation Promotes Taxonomic and Functional Diversity of Odonata Assemblages in Intermittent Karst Rivers in the Mediterranean
by Marina Vilenica, Fran Rebrina, Renata Matoničkin Kepčija, Vedran Šegota, Mario Rumišek, Lea Ružanović and Andreja Brigić
Diversity 2022, 14(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14010031 - 04 Jan 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2420
Abstract
Assemblages of adult Odonata were studied in four intermittent karst rivers encompassing macrophyte-rich (MRH) and macrophyte-poor habitats (MPH) in southern Europe, where temporary lotic habitats are the predominant freshwater type but are still understudied. With a total of 25 recorded species, the studied [...] Read more.
Assemblages of adult Odonata were studied in four intermittent karst rivers encompassing macrophyte-rich (MRH) and macrophyte-poor habitats (MPH) in southern Europe, where temporary lotic habitats are the predominant freshwater type but are still understudied. With a total of 25 recorded species, the studied habitats support species-rich Odonata assemblages, as already shown for intermittent rivers in the Mediterranean. Aquatic macrophyte abundance, conductivity, and water velocity are the most significant determinants of Odonata assemblages in the studied IRES. MRH promote higher Odonata abundance and the taxonomic and functional diversity of their assemblages compared to the MPH. Odonata assemblages in MRH are characterized by higher values of body size and a higher share of species preferring lentic and temporary hydrological conditions. Moreover, their assemblages are characterized by various patterns of nymphal development and drought resilience strategies. In contrast, MPH are preferred by lotic species, with nymphal development all year round and with no specific drought-resisting strategies. Our results contribute to the knowledge of diversity and ecological requirements of dragonflies and damselflies in IRES habitats, which could provide scientific background for future conservation activities and bioassessment protocols of such habitats and their biota. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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18 pages, 5549 KiB  
Article
Plecoptera (Insecta) Diversity in Indiana: A Watershed-Based Analysis
by Evan A. Newman, R. Edward DeWalt and Scott A. Grubbs
Diversity 2021, 13(12), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13120672 - 15 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2303
Abstract
Plecoptera, an environmentally sensitive order of aquatic insects commonly used in water quality monitoring is experiencing decline across the globe. This study addresses the landscape factors that impact the species richness of stoneflies using the US Geological Survey Hierarchical Unit Code 8 drainage [...] Read more.
Plecoptera, an environmentally sensitive order of aquatic insects commonly used in water quality monitoring is experiencing decline across the globe. This study addresses the landscape factors that impact the species richness of stoneflies using the US Geological Survey Hierarchical Unit Code 8 drainage scale (HUC8) in the state of Indiana. Over 6300 specimen records from regional museums, literature, and recent efforts were assigned to HUC8 drainages. A total of 93 species were recorded from the state. The three richest of 38 HUC8s were the Lower East Fork White (66 species), the Blue-Sinking (58), and the Lower White (51) drainages, all concentrated in the southern unglaciated part of the state. Richness was predicted using nine variables, reduced from 116 and subjected to AICc importance and hierarchical partitioning. AICc importance revealed four variables associated with Plecoptera species richness, topographic wetness index, HUC8 area, % soil hydrolgroup C/D, and % historic wetland ecosystem. Hierarchical partitioning indicated topographic wetness index, HUC8 area, and % cherty red clay surface geology as significantly important to predicting species richness. This analysis highlights the importance of hydrology and glacial history in species richness of Plecoptera. The accumulated data are primed to be used for monograph production, niche modeling, and conservation status assessment for an entire assemblage in a large geographic area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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16 pages, 2120 KiB  
Article
Water Quality Analysis in a Subtropical River with an Adapted Biomonitoring Working Party (BMWP) Index
by Guillermo Magallón Ortega, Carlos Escalera Gallardo, Eugenia López-López, Jacinto Elías Sedeño-Díaz, Martín López Hernández, Miriam Arroyo-Damián and Rodrigo Moncayo-Estrada
Diversity 2021, 13(11), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13110606 - 22 Nov 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 11838
Abstract
Subtropical rivers in developing countries often lack adequate monitoring, which makes it difficult to comprehensively determine their water quality when faced with different anthropic impacts. There are no proper protocols in the regulations to incorporate indicators and adapt them to different biogeographic regions, [...] Read more.
Subtropical rivers in developing countries often lack adequate monitoring, which makes it difficult to comprehensively determine their water quality when faced with different anthropic impacts. There are no proper protocols in the regulations to incorporate indicators and adapt them to different biogeographic regions, limiting the potential success of conservation and restoration of river ecosystems. This study proposes implementing macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of water quality in river ecosystems, and modifying the calibration of the widely used Biomonitoring Working Party (BMWP) index for its adaptation in a subtropical river. The Duero River, Mexico, was used as an example in this study. Data were explored with multivariate statistics, and the water quality and habitat values were averaged to obtain the families’ bioindication values and the index categories. The BMWP adequately described a deterioration gradient from the origin to the river mouth (from fair to extremely polluted), with some intermediate recovery points related to the presence of springs. Its performance was compared with other biological indices and exhibited a positive relationship with all of them. In addition, how BMWP changed over time was analyzed by examining previous samples, and highlighted increased river deterioration over time. A calibrated BMWP will allow for long-term monitoring at a low cost. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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13 pages, 7241 KiB  
Article
Taxonomy, Distribution and Life Cycle of the Maghrebian Endemic Rhithrogena sartorii (Ephemeroptera: Heptageniidae) in Algeria
by Boudjéma Samraoui, Laurent Vuataz, Michel Sartori, Jean-Luc Gattolliat, Fahad A. Al-Misned, Hamed A. El-Serehy and Farrah Samraoui
Diversity 2021, 13(11), 547; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13110547 - 29 Oct 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1888
Abstract
Despite being recorded in Algeria since the nineteenth century, the genus Rhithrogena has never been the object of a taxonomical study and no identified species is known from this country. Investigations of the relict mountain streams of El Kala, north-eastern Algeria, have led [...] Read more.
Despite being recorded in Algeria since the nineteenth century, the genus Rhithrogena has never been the object of a taxonomical study and no identified species is known from this country. Investigations of the relict mountain streams of El Kala, north-eastern Algeria, have led to the discovery of a Rhithrogena population. Morphological and molecular analyses identified the species as the Maghrebian endemic Rhithrogena sartorii, so far known only from neighboring Tunisia. We report on the species’ distribution, status, and life cycle and discuss its potential role as a bioindicator in environmental monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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15 pages, 2762 KiB  
Article
Characterization of the Multidimensional Functional Space of the Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in a Biosphere Reserve (Central México)
by Alexis Joseph Rodríguez-Romero, Axel Eduardo Rico-Sánchez, Jacinto Elías Sedeño-Díaz and Eugenia López-López
Diversity 2021, 13(11), 546; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13110546 - 29 Oct 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2196
Abstract
The analysis of functional diversity has shown to be more sensitive to the effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on the assemblages of aquatic macroinvertebrates than the classical analyses of structural ecology. However, this ecological analysis perspective has not been fully explored in [...] Read more.
The analysis of functional diversity has shown to be more sensitive to the effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on the assemblages of aquatic macroinvertebrates than the classical analyses of structural ecology. However, this ecological analysis perspective has not been fully explored in tropical environments of America. Protected Natural Areas (PNAs) such as biosphere reserves can be a benchmark regarding structural and functional distribution patterns worldwide, so the characterization of the functional space of biological assemblages in these sites is necessary to promote biodiversity conservation efforts. Our work characterized the multidimensional functional space of the macroinvertebrate assemblages from an ecosystemic approach by main currents, involving a total of 15 study sites encompassing different impact and human influence scenarios, which were monitored in two contrasting seasons. We calculated functional diversity indices (dispersion, richness, divergence, evenness, specialization, and originality) from biological and ecological traits of the macroinvertebrate assemblages and related these indices to the physicochemical characteristics of water and four environmental indices (Water Quality Index, habitat quality, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and vegetation cover and land use). Our results show that the indices of functional richness, evenness, and functional specialization were sensitive to disturbance caused by salinization, concentration of nutrients and organic matter, and even to the occurrence of a forest fire in the reserve during one of the sampling seasons. These findings support the conclusion that the changes and relationships between the functional diversity indices and the physicochemical parameters and environmental indices considered were suitable for evaluating the ecological conditions within the reserve. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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13 pages, 1448 KiB  
Article
Diversity, Status and Phenology of the Dragonflies and Damselflies of Cyprus (Insecta: Odonata)
by David J. Sparrow, Geert De Knijf and Rosalyn L. Sparrow
Diversity 2021, 13(11), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13110532 - 25 Oct 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1969
Abstract
Based on literature data, unpublished material and the results of the year-round monitoring at selected sites island-wide by the Cyprus Dragonfly Study Group since 2013, we acquired an excellent knowledge of the diversity and status of the Odonata of Cyprus. Altogether, 37 species [...] Read more.
Based on literature data, unpublished material and the results of the year-round monitoring at selected sites island-wide by the Cyprus Dragonfly Study Group since 2013, we acquired an excellent knowledge of the diversity and status of the Odonata of Cyprus. Altogether, 37 species are on the island’s checklist. Ischnura pumilio, Aeshna affinis and Brachythemis impartita were only very rarely recorded in the past but are considered to be no longer present. The single record of Calopteryx virgo from 1930 is in our opinion a misidentification and has been removed from the checklist. The island has a rather impoverished odonate fauna compared to neighbouring countries. There are no endemic species, but the island is home to some range of restricted species of which Ischnura intermedia is the most important. Flight seasons determined for the 31 species with sufficient data were generally found to be longer than reported for other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean. This may be due to intensive year-round monitoring but could also result from Cyprus’ warmer climate. Very wide annual variations were found in the abundance of all species over the seven years and show an almost immediate response to the wide fluctuations in Cyprus’ annual rainfall levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Insects: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation Challenges)
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