engleski

Mayfly (Ephemeroptera) assemblages of karst springs

Springs are unique habitats of high conservation value being characterized with high level of biodiversity, high number of endemic and rare organisms. Nevertheless, they represent an important source of drinking water. These habitats and their assemblages are still rather neglected in ecological research. Mayfly fauna is relatively poorly known in Dinaric karst springs. Therefore, we studied composition and abundance of their assemblages in 13 big springs in the Dinaric karst of Croatia. The samples were collected using a benthos net according to AQEM procedure at all major microhabitats during four different seasons. With 24 recorded species (30% of Croatian mayfly fauna), this study represents an important contribution to our knowledge of karst spring mayflies. Krčić and Krupa springs were characterized with high mayfly abundance in contrast to Čikola and Gacka springs, where they were rather scarce. In NMDS analysis, perennial and temporary springs generally separated based on mayfly assemblages. Temporary springs had lower species richness compared to perennial ones. Mayflies are widely used as bioindicators of freshwater habitats' quality. Our study confirmed mayfly indicator potential in spring habitats. Although springs are generally not mayfly biodiversity hotspots, their fauna showed to be very interesting and should be investigated in more detail. Further step in the project will include analysis of physico-chemical water properties on recorded mayfly species.

Dinaric karst ; karst springs ; mayflies ; assemblages ; microhabitats

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