Chironomidae (Diptera: Insecta) na microbacia hidrográfica do rio Vacacaí-Mirim (Santa Maria, RS)

Abstract

The Chironomidae family constitutes one of the main groups of aquatic insects, being present in a great variety of environments and participating of various ecological processes, such as nutrients cycle and energetic transference. In the south region of the country, few studies are addressed to this community, not existing works in the region of Santa Maria, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Aiming to contibute for the knowledge of the group, this work had as goal to study the Chironomidae fauna in different environments in the Vacacaí-Mirim river microbasin, analyzing the composition and structure of the community in function of the physical, chemical, morphometric and environmental characteristics related to substrata. In December of 2007, the Chironomidae larvae were collected with a Surber sampler, in four locations along the Vacacaí-Mirim river, including the different present substrata. Alongside, some non-biotic variables of these locations were measured. The organisms were sorted and identified in the laboratory up to the level of genus, and based on these data, it was verified, in the locations and substrata, the absolute and relative density of these genera and subfamilies and the taxonomic richness, Shannon diversity and Equitability of these locations, besides the separation of the fauna in different substrata in functional feeding groups. The composition was compared by the multivariate statistics (grouping and variance analyses) and the community structure and substrata (richness, groups density, diversity and equitability) compared by the analysis of variance. The most representative subfamily was the Chironominae, followed by Orthocladiinae and Tanypodinae. Differential composition was observed among all the locations: points A and B were less altered physical-chemically, obtaining high diversity and more homogeneous distribution of the genera. In B, the greater habitats heterogeneity is responsible for the presence of exclusives taxa and for the high taxonomic richness. In C and D, the agricultural activities close to the water body are possibly responsible for the higher concentrations of nutrients and total solids found, resulting in the dominance of groups more tolerant to such conditions, mainly Rheotanytarsus. Sand samples presented lower density and richness, since this is a naturally poorer substratum. Rocks also sheltered a lower quantity of Chironomidae. In mixed or vegetation composed substrata, which present higher energetic availability and shelter conditions, higher densities were found. The physical-chemical and morphometric factors were more influent in the fauna structure determination than the substrata, which only complemented the ecological requirements of the groups. In general, few associations among the subfamilies and the feeding groups to the substrata were found.