Microdistributions of stoneflies of the High Tatra montane streams

Abstract

Stonefly samples were collected from disturbed and undisturbed tributaries of the Tatra Mountains streams (the West Carpathians). In the autumn, at stable low discharge, the total density of stoneflies was significantly higher in the undisturbed streams. Microhabitats such as macrolithal (boulders), mesolithal (stones) and moss had higher stonefly density. Taxa of different species or genera have different demands for microhabitats. Very narrow spatial niches were found for the genera Rhabdiopteryx, Protonemura and Perlodes. The spatial niche overlap was low between the genera Rhabdiopteryx and Brachyptera, but was high between species of the Protonemura and Leucra genera. The highest biodiversity of stoneflies was on coarser substrata (except boulders) and moss, the lowest biodiversity was on the finer substrata. Among the organic substrata, a significantly lower coefficient of stonefly α-diversity variation was recorded in mosses compared to submerged wood and roots.

Keywords

• microdistribution
• running waters
• Carpathians
• High Tatra Mountains