Low species richness of non-biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Neotropical artificial urban water bodies

TY - JOUR

T1 - Low species richness of non-biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Neotropical artificial urban water bodies

AU - Hamerlik, Ladislav

AU - Jacobsen, Dean

AU - Brodersen, Klaus Peter

PY - 2011/9

Y1 - 2011/9

N2 - Chironomid assemblages of 22 artificial water bodies, mainly fountains, in two South American cities were surveyed. We found surprisingly low diversities, with a total of 11 taxa, averaging two taxa per site. The typical fountain assemblages mainly consisted of common species that have a wide distribution pattern and are tolerant to organic pollution. Also taxa independent of the natural aquatic sources, such as tap-water and semi-terrestrial species were represented. There was no significant difference between the taxa richness of the two S. American regions, however, the assemblage structures of the water bodies of Quito and Bogotá differed significantly. There was no correlation between sample similarities and distances among the sites either. The low number of taxa recorded can be attributed to the combination of naturally limited species pool and the heavy pollution in natural water bodies as colonization sources.

AB - Chironomid assemblages of 22 artificial water bodies, mainly fountains, in two South American cities were surveyed. We found surprisingly low diversities, with a total of 11 taxa, averaging two taxa per site. The typical fountain assemblages mainly consisted of common species that have a wide distribution pattern and are tolerant to organic pollution. Also taxa independent of the natural aquatic sources, such as tap-water and semi-terrestrial species were represented. There was no significant difference between the taxa richness of the two S. American regions, however, the assemblage structures of the water bodies of Quito and Bogotá differed significantly. There was no correlation between sample similarities and distances among the sites either. The low number of taxa recorded can be attributed to the combination of naturally limited species pool and the heavy pollution in natural water bodies as colonization sources.

U2 - 10.1007/s11252-011-0163-x

DO - 10.1007/s11252-011-0163-x

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1083-8155

VL - 14

SP - 457

EP - 468

JO - Urban Ecosystems

JF - Urban Ecosystems

IS - 3

ER -