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Longitudinal distribution and diversity of macrozoobenthos community in a Pannonian mountain stream network

Papuk Nature Park is situated in the eastern part of Croatia and consists of lowlands and mountain range, with the highest peak of 953 m a.s.l. This preliminary study was conducted with the aim to assess the changes in macroinvertebrate community structure and abundance in a mountain stream network along the altitude gradient. Macrozoobenthos was sampled in June 2019, at three sites on different altitudes: “Jankovac” (spring) 450 m, “Drenovac” (stream) 305 m and “Lovački dom” (stream) 152 m asl, with a 500 μm mesh hand net, following multihabitat sampling procedure. The most abundant taxonomic group was Amphipoda at all three sites, followed by Chironomidae in “Jankovac” spring and EPT group with Coleoptera at other two sites. At the highest altitude, we found 6603 invertebrates/0, 0625 m2. Chironomidae larvae represented 28% of total abundance, however diversity was very low due to the specific conditions of this habitat type, and Rheotanytarsus sp. dominated. At “Drenovac” and “Lovački dom” 2351 and 1402 inv./0.0625m2 were recorded, respectively. The middle altitude stream site harboured highest number of invertebrate taxa groups (26), including 9 dipteran families. Chironomidae were most diverse at the lowest altitude site as a result of most diverse microhabitats. At both stream sites, Epoicocladius larvae were recorded, a species very interesting for its symbiosis with mayfly nymph Ephemera. These preliminary results give us good starting point for the further research of benthic communities along the altitude gradient.

altitude gradient, macroinvertebrate community, biodiversity, conservation

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