Functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrates and their relationship with environmental parameters, case study: in Zarin-Gol River

Abstract

Feeding strategies are typical traits reflecting the adaptation of species to environmental conditions. The aim of this paper was finding of proof that functional feeding groups the benthic macroinvertebrates can be unitized as surrogate for biological assessment. The composition and abundance of functional feeding groups of the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages were surveyed along the Zarin-Gol River, Iran during winter and spring 2016. Benthic samples were collected using Surber sampler (900 cm2 area) with 3 replicates in 5 stations (agriculture, rural area, forest, fish culture and reference site). Ten environmental parameters including (temperature, Dissolved oxygen, pH, Electric conductivity, etc.) of each station were assessed. A total of abundance (901 individuals) belonging to 30 families and 9 orders were identified. In terms of relative abundance, Collector/Gatherer and Collector/ Filter were the predominant groups at most sampling stations. Shredders had low abundance in all stations and were absent in station two. Principal component analysis and cluster ordination showed that there are two distinct groups of benthic and stations. The implication of the observed pattern of variation in the abundance of functional feeding groups were discussed regarding to the ecosystem functions and water quality assessment.