Aquatic macroinvertebrates are widely used as indicators of water quality. However, in the Andean region of Ecuador, little is known about how the macroinvertebrate community assemblage responds to changes in the habitat where they occur. One of the main drawbacks is taxonomy, where classifying organisms on a full taxonomic scale becomes complicated. To resolve this point, in a in a NMDS (non-metric multidimensional scaling) ordination analysis, the abundance of macroinvertebrates obtained in 12 monitoring stations in the Cajas Massif, southern Ecuador, was used. The rankings were contrasted using the trophic guilds approach versus the family taxonomic approach (the maximum taxonomic classification available). The ordering analyzes showed a more differentiated spatial organization with the trophic guilds approach than with the family-level approach. When explaining the organization of the communities, the ABI (Andean Biotic Index) and the elevation, significantly explains the organization of the community from the trophic guilds approach; although, only the elevation explains the ordering from the family scale approach. The results suggest that, from the trophic guilds approach, a better approximation of the general ecological role of the macroinvertebrate community associated with environmental services such as water quality is represented. Guilds such as shredders, scrapers, and detritivores adjust to increasing ABI (i.e. water quality). Consequently, monitoring with a focus on the trophic guilds can be used in studies of water quality and its relationship with the community. RESUMENLos macroinvertebrados acuáticos son ampliamente utilizados como indicadores de calidad de agua. Sin embargo, en la región Andina del Ecuador, poco se conoce sobre cómo el ensamble de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados responde a cambios del hábitat donde ocurren. Uno de los principales inconvenientes es la taxonomía, en donde clasificar a los organismos a una escala taxonómica completa se torna complicado. Para resolver este punto, en un análisis de ordenación NMDS (escalamiento multidimensional no métrico), se usó la abundancia de macroinvertebrados obtenidos en 12 estaciones de monitoreo en el Macizo del Cajas, sur de Ecuador. Las ordenaciones fueron contrastadas usando el enfoque de gremios tróficos frente al enfoque taxonómico de familia (la máxima clasificación taxonómica disponible). Los análisis de ordenación mostraron una organización espacial más diferenciada con el enfoque de los gremios tróficos que al respecto del enfoque a nivel de familia. Al explicar la ordenación de las comunidades, el ABI (Índice Biótico de los Andes) y la elevación, explican significativamente la ordenación de la comunidad desde el enfoque de gremios tróficos; aunque, tan solo la elevación explica la ordenación desde el enfoque a escala de familia. Los resultados apuntan a que, desde el enfoque de gremios tróficos, se representan una mejor aproximación del papel ecológico general de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados asociados a servicios ambienta...

Atelopus species are classified as a priority taxon for monitoring and conservation, of these A. exiguus is endemic to southern Ecuador and is classified as critically endangered, however, within its known geographic range, little attention has been given to identifying new localities particularly across the páramo ecosystem (> 3500 m a.s.l.). Therefore, in the páramo landscape of Macizo del Cajas Biosphere Reserve, a conservation hotspot, we intensively searched for A. exiguus across 15 localities (elevation range: 3550 – 3800 m a.s.l.). In one year of monitoring (2020 – 2021), we recorded four individuals of A. exiguus (two were tadpoles) in two localities. The localities are characterized by a higher proportion of páramo grassland in association with shrubby páramo as well as cushion páramo; this riparian habitat is related to relatively good water quality (according to Andean Biotic Index), relatively low water temperatures and relatively low water flow. Our findings, accompanied by a detailed monitoring protocol, suggest habitat requirements for A. exiguus. Further intensive surveys beyond the limits of protected areas of Azuay province, especially across the páramos, is emerging as an urgent step to improve conservation decisions.