ILPLA   05424
INSTITUTO DE LIMNOLOGIA "DR. RAUL A. RINGUELET"
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
TAXONOMIC AND NONTAXONOMIC RESPONSES TO ECOLOGICAL CHANGES IN AN URBAN LOWLAND STREAM THROUGH THE USE OF CHIRONOMIDAE (DIPTERA) LARVAE
Autor/es:
CORTELEZZI, A.; PAGGI, A. C.; RODRÍGUEZ, M.; RODRIGUES CAPÍTULO, A.
Revista:
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
Editorial:
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Referencias:
Lugar: Michigan; Año: 2011 vol. 409 p. 1344 - 1350
ISSN:
0048-9697
Resumen:
ABSTRACT Biotic descriptors—both taxonomic (diversity indices, species richness, indicator species) and nontaxonomic (biomass, oxygen consumption/production, anatomical deformities)—are useful tools for measuring a stream´s ecological condition. Nontaxonomic parameters detect critical effects not reflected taxonomically. We analyzed changes in Chironomidae populations as taxonomic parameters and mentum deformities as a nontaxonomic parameter for evaluating a South-American-plains stream (Argentina). We performed samplings seasonally (March, June, September, and December; 2005) and physical and chemical measurements at three sampling sites of the stream (DC1 at river source, through DC3 downstream). The specimens collected in sediment and vegetation were analyzed to investigate mouth deformities in Chironomidae larvae. We identified a total of 9 taxa from Chironomidae and Orthocladiinae subfamilies. Shannon´s diversity index for Chironomidae decreased from 1.6 bits.ind-1 (DC1) to 0.3 bits.ind-1 (DC3). The total density of the Chironomidae exhibited a great increase in abundance at site DC3, especially that of C. calligraphus. Chironomidae taxonomic composition also changed among the three sites despite their spatial proximity: C. calligraphus, Goeldichironomus holoprasinus, Parachironomus longistilus, and Polypedilum were present at all three; Corynoneura and Paratanytarsu at DC1 only; Cricotopus at DC1 and DC3; Apedilum elachistus notably at DC2 and DC3; and Parametriocnemus only at DC2. C. calligraphus individuals from DC1 showed no mentum deformities; only 2 from DC2 exhibited mouth-structure alterations; while specimens from DC3 presented the most abnormalities, especially during autumn and late winter. Type-II deformities (supernumerary teeth and gaps) were the most common. Anatomical deformities are sublethal effects representing an early alert to chemically caused environmental degradation. Mentum deformities in benthic-Chironomidae larvae constitute an effective biological-surveillance tool for detecting adverse conditions in sediments and evaluating sediment-quality-criteria compliance. Taxonomic (community composition) and nontaxonomic (condition of larval mouth parts) descriptors, used together, can indicate a stream´s ecological state.