Macroinvertebrates associated with macrophytes in lagoon La Virginia, páramo Sumapaz, Colombia

Abstract

The limnological knowledge in the páramo is almost nonexistent, in the countries where these ecosystems are present, research have been developed, mainly, in Andean and high Andean zones. In this context, in this study was formulated the question ¿How H´ diversity is associated, density, richness and biomass of macroinvertebrates with variables associated to Potamogeton sp., Azolla filiculoides y Myriophyllum aquaticum, these were: habitat of life (floating, emergent and submerged), biomass and habitat conditions?. The objective was to determine spatiotemporal changes of density, biomass and diversity of macroinvertebrates, depending of occupied habitat and environmental conditions. Samplings were carried out during four hydrological seasons. Then physic-chemical variables were measured in field and laboratory. There were found 19 genera/morphotypes of macroinvertebrates, the most relevant in terms of density and biomass were Helobdella, Hyalella and Tubificidae morphotype. In general, the ecosystem has an average H´ of 0.62 bits.Ind-1, and a Simpson dominance of 0.5. The density was correlated with electrical conductivity and stream flow; and biomass with conductivity and dissolved oxygen. The submerged macrophyte has the highest amount of biomass, density, macroinvertebrates richness and H´ biodiversity. The environment conditions were optimal for faunal diversity.

Keywords

• Biodiversidad
• Biomasa
• Densidad
• Laguna Los Tunjos
• Limnología