Title
Aquatic macroinvertebrates in streams associated with high andean wetlands of ayacucho Peru
Other title
Macroinvertebrados acuáticos en arroyos asociados con bofedales altoandinos, ayacucho Perú
Date Issued
01 September 2020
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Publisher(s)
Universidad de Costa Rica
Abstract
Streams associated with high Andean wetlands are found in environments where condi-tions are extreme, highly variable temperature, low atmospheric pressure, intense solar radiation. The macro-invertebrate assemblages have been poorly studied compared to streams located at lower altitudes. On a global and regional scale, the characteristics of macroinvertebrates change with the increase in latitude and altitude (decreasing in richness and variation in composition). At the local level, the effect of acidic waters with high conductivity from springs that join streams generate heterogeneity in water quality and consequently in the characteristics of macroinvertebrate structure. Objective: To compare the diversity, composition and abundance of macroinvertebrates and the physicochemical characteristics of stream water in two high Andean wetlands in Peru. Methodology: Eleven stations located in streams of two high Andean wetlands were studied: 7 in Guitarrachayocc (G) of 43 ha (n = 28) and 4 in Pichccahuasi (P) of 28 ha (n = 8). A Surber sampler (0.3 mm mesh, sampling area of 1 200 cm2) was used to carry out monthly samplings from October 2016 to April 2017. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Non-Parametric-Multivariate-Analysis-Of-Variance (NP-MANOVA) were applied to compare water characteristics. The macroinvertebrate assemblages from the two streams were compared by using a Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), NP-MANOVA, and a non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test (α = 0.05). Results: The characteristics of the water were heterogeneous, with significant differences in pH which ranged from 3.2 (± 0.4) to 7.6 (± 0.1) and conductivity ranging from 168.9 (± 91.0) µS / cm to 1 117.0 (± 159.3) µS / cm. In particular, G6 presented the lowest pH values and the highest electrical conductivity, as well as chlorides. A total of 8 126 individuals were collected, distributed in 26 taxa from 20 families, 11 orders and five classes. Insects were the most diverse and abundant group. Differences were found between the streams of the highland wetlands, despite their proximity: in G, 25 taxa were registered, with a dominance of Macrelmis sp., Dicrotendipes sp., Claudioperla sp. and Meridialaris sp. and in P, 9, with a dominance of Pedrowygomya sp., Hyalella sp. and Dicrotendipes sp. The density was 475 ind./m2 and 31 ind./m2 for G and P respectively, these values were statistically different (p < 0.05). The PCoA and PCA confirmed by NP-MANOVA showed that G6 was different (p < 0.05) within G because it receives water contribution from a spring. Conclusions: The richness, composition and density of macroinvertebrates were different in streams depending on the bofedal with which it is associated. The contribution of the springs to the streams generates drastic changes in the quality of the water and the macroinvertebrates, determining the formation of assemblages with different richness and structure.
Start page
S116
End page
S131
Volume
68
Issue
S2
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Biología marina, Biología de agua dulce, Limnología
Zoología, Ornitología, Entomología, ciencias biológicas del comportamiento
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85093959998
Source
Revista de Biologia Tropical
ISSN of the container
00347744
Sponsor(s)
A la Oficina General de Investigación e Innovación y al Vice Rectorado de Investigaci?n de la Universidad Nacional de San Cristobal de Huamanga, por el financiamiento a través del Fondo de Desarrollo Socioeconómico de Camisea (FOCAM).
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus