Diversity of Odonata (Insecta) larvae in streams and farm ponds of a montane region in southern Brazil

Abstract

This study presents an inventory of the genera of Odonata found in streams and artificial farm ponds in a montane region, with temperate climate, in southern Brazil. Differences in richness of lotic and lentic environments were also investigated. The diversity of odonate families and genera in southernmost Brazil is lower than in warmer, either tropical or subtropical, regions of the country. Nine genera are new records for the region and six genera had their geographical ranges extended to regions with temperate climate of the Neotropics. The overall richness and especially the overall abundance recorded in the studied area are possibly determined by the occurrence of numerous farm ponds because natural standing waters are scarce in the region. The presence of macrophytes in these artificial ponds allowed the establishment of a diversified odonatofauna, typical of lentic environments. Resumo: Este estudo apresenta um inventário de gêneros de Odonata de riachos e reservatórios artificiais de uma região montanhosa de clima temperado no extremo sul do Brasil. Diferenças na riqueza de ambientes lóticos e lênticos também foram investigadas. A diversidade de famílias e gêneros de Odonata no extremo sul do Brasil é menor que em regiões mais quentes, tanto tropicais quanto subtropicais, do país. Nove gêneros são novos registros para a região e seis gêneros tiveram suas distribuições geográficas de ocorrência estendidas para áreas temperadas da região Neotropical. A riqueza e a abundância verificadas na área de estudo possivelmente foram determinadas pela ocorrência de numerosos reservatórios artificiais, pois áreas lênticas naturais são raras na região. A presença de macrófitas nestes reservatórios permitiu o estabelecimento de uma fauna de Odonata diversificada e típica de ambientes lênticos. Palavras-chave: libélulas, inventário, região Neotropical, reservatórios, fauna lótica.

Assemblage of immature Odonata (Insecta, Anisoptera) in streams of the Mato Grosso do Sul State: spatial implications

“…Probably, these structural features particularly favored the populations of Progomphus and Tramea, which together accounted for more than 50.0% of catches in Perobão. The predominance of these genera among Odonata was also found in other Brazilian regions (Kikuchi & Uieda, 2005;Figueiredo et al, 2013;Pires et al, 2013).…”

Diversity of Non-Biting Midge Larvae Assemblages in the Jacuí River Basin, Brazil

“…However, the sampling area of 0.36 m 2 , and the tangles of Podostemun scraped from the stones and added to the samples, in which many chironomid larvae were attached, may have counteracted the large mesh-size effect. In any event, Chironomidae was the most abundant family in the area, and reached the highest richnnes among the insects found in the river (Neri et al 2005; Spies et al 2006; Siegloch et al 2008; Pires 2011). …”

“…The middle course of the Jacuí River (southern Brazil) contains a very diversified macroinvertebrate community, as evidenced during the environmental program “Monitoring of mollusk vectors of human diseases” conducted for the construction of the Dona Francisca Hydroelectric Power Station (see Neri et al 2005 for Heteroptera; Spies et al 2006 for Trichoptera; Siegloch et al 2008 for Ephemeroptera; and Pires 2011 for Odonata). Chironomidae was the most abundant family found in the river.…”

Effects of wetland hydroperiod length on the functional structure of assemblages of Odonata

“…The detection of Lestes nymphs in short‐ and medium‐hydroperiod wetlands before and after re‐flooding (early autumn) of these areas, though common in lentic areas (Ellenrieder ; Pires et al . , ), suggests either recolonization by emergence from the egg stage or oviposition by adults immediately after re‐flooding of these areas.…”