Effect of seasonality on trophic functional groups of benthic invertebrates in rocky substrate in Rio Palmital, União da Vitória-PR

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the benthic invertebrates found in the rocky substrate in seasonal periods in Rio Palmital, União da Vitória, Parana, Brazil, characterizing the trophic functional groups (collectors, collectors-gatherers, collectors-filterers, shredders, predators and scrapers). Sampling was carried out during the dry (June/July-2011) and rainy (November/December-2011) seasons. The data indicate that the functional group of collectors was the most frequent. The results suggest that there are influences of the disturbances caused by precipitation on the invertebrate fauna during the rainy season, and certain trophic species found may be related to the presence of organic matter as a food source in the diet of invertebrates present there.

Keywords

• Food resources
• Guild
• Hydrological disturbances
• Lotic environments