Dispersal traits as benthic invertebrate assemblage drivers in a neotropical large river

SAIGO, MIGUEL; MARCHESE, MERCEDES; MONTALTO, LUCIANA

FUNDAMENTAL AND APPLIED LIMNOLOGY

E SCHWEIZERBARTSCHE VERLAGS

Año: 2020

1863-9135

Metacommunity theory is a mechanistic framework that explains the interdependence of local factorsand regional processes as community drivers. Recent evidence suggests that dispersal mode is a key trait thatpotentially affects metacommunity dynamics. We analyzed the distribution patterns of benthic macroinvertebrateswith different dispersal modes in the Middle Paraná, a neotropical large river. We assessed the relative importanceof local environmental conditions and regional spatial structure as assemblage drivers. Aquatic and aerial disperserspresented Clementsian and Gleasonian structures, respectively. For both groups, local environmental conditionsinfluenced community assembly, and spatial structure (overland distances) also affected the distribution of aerialdispersers. Our study highlights that the role of spatial structure as a driver of benthic metacommunities depends onspecies? dispersal modes. Aerial dispersers responded to regional spatial variables and it is likely that these organismsare also influenced by mass effects. Our results are consistent with current ideas of metacommunity dynamicsin large rivers, where dispersal is not considered to limit the distribution of benthic organisms.