Global Patterns of Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Dispersal and Functional Feeding Traits in Aridland Rock Pools

Abstract

Rock pools are important desert ecosystems that provide rare sources of surface water in arid regions. Hydroperiod is one of the primary limiting factors on aquatic macroinvertebrates living in rock pools. Resident macroinvertebrates must complete their life cycles before drying, and may employ active or passive dispersal strategies to survive drying. Quantifying dispersal and functional feeding traits across rock pool macroinvertebrate communities in multiple regions could provide insight into how rock pool ecosystems will respond to shorter hydroperiods predicted by climate change models. Here, we analyze taxonomic data (26 species lists) obtained from 24 published studies of rock pools to assess the dispersal and feeding strategies of macroinvertebrates, and how ecosystem functions may change with shorter hydroperiods. On average across all datasets, taxa were equally comprised of active dispersers and passive dispersers. Most active disperser taxa were predators (60%) and gatherers (33%). In contrast, passive disperser taxa were generally filterers (39%), gatherers (29%), and scrapers (21%). Climate change scenarios may result in shorter rock pool hydroperiods in many regions, which could reduce habitat availability for passive dispersers with weak overland dispersal abilities. If passive disperser populations decrease, their associated ecosystem functions, such as fine organic matter processing, could be disrupted. These results provide a foundation for future work investigating changes in rock pool ecosystem function due to altered hydroperiods.

Characterization of the Multidimensional Functional Space of the Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in a Biosphere Reserve (Central México)

“…It was observed that FDis values (Figure 4a) tend to be higher in Concá-Ayutla-Santa María in both seasons, likely because this is located in the mid-terminal portion of the stream. Here, the macroinvertebrate assemblages show generalist trophic habits and adaptations to avoid extreme hydraulic conditions related to their life cycle such as small body sizes that facilitate searching for shelters to avoid being dragged by strong currents [59], (extreme conditions were detected during the rainy season, with high values of suspended solids and turbidity, due to the incorporation of materials from the upper tributaries of this river, in contrast with those seasonal variations in Extoraz river where there are a lower number of tributaries; see Table 1). FRic (Figure 4b) may be considered one of the most important functional diversity indices because it indicates the variation of the functional space [23] in the streams and seasons monitored.…”

Effects of Inundation on Water Chemistry and Invertebrates in Floodplain Wetlands

“…Macroinvertebrate predators are known to structure local assemblages through prey depletion (Wallace & Webster, 1996;Downing, 2005). In lentic habitats, the effect of predators on prey assemblages may be heightened because prey emigration is limited (i.e., leaving the pool may lead to desiccation or terrestrial predation) (Washko & Bogan, 2019).…”

Flight Dispersal in Supratidal Rockpool Beetles

“…Dispersal ability, that is, the ability to move between different habitat patches, significantly influences the range and distribution of aquatic insects, especially in temporary habitats [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. This trait has a crucial role in shaping the dynamic and genetic structure of species, impacting processes such as colonisation, gene flow, and evolutionary divergence [ 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”