Abstract

TAMARIS-TURIZO, CÉSAR E.; TURIZO-CORREA, RODRIGO R.  and  ZUNIGA, MARÍA DEL CARMEN. Spatial-temporal distribution and feeding in nymphs of Anacroneuria (Insecta: Plecoptera: Perlidae) in the Gaira river (Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia). Caldasia [online]. 2007, vol.29, n.2, pp.375-385. ISSN 0366-5232.

Stoneflies are a group of aquatic insects which live in cool, riffle, oxygenated and oligotrophic waters; moreover stoneflies are susceptible to changes in habitat conditions and water quality. The objective of this paper is to know the spatial-temporal distribution and feeding habits of nymphs of Order Plecoptera in the high section of Gaira River. In order to achieve this objective, nymphs were collected from April to September 2004, in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National National Park, San Lorenzo zone (11°10´2´´ North; 74°10´41´´ West). Morpho species found belong to Anacroneuria and were provisionally named as A. spW, A. spX, A. spY and A. sp Z. The most abundant species was A. spY. It was found that gravel in riffle current is the microhábitat with most abundance while the stones presented the least abundance. No associated stonefly was found in the sediment microhábitat. Abundance variations during this study were related to pluviometric regimen of the zone. The analysis of the gut contents in nymphs of the Anacroneuria genus, showed no diet differences among the morpho species found; diet of the nymphs was primary carnivorous. In addition, differences were found between the diets of young nymphs and mature ones.

Keywords : Anacroneuria; feeding habits; Plecoptera; Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

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