Invertebrates associated with Paspalum repens (Poaceae) at the mouth of Caracu Stream (1991-1992), affluent of the Paraná River, Porto Rico - PR - Brazil

摘要

Temporal distributions of Paspalum repens at the mouth of the Caracu Stream on the left margin of the Paraná River were characterized and analyzed. Samples of Paspalum repens were taken monthly from March 1991 to February 1992. Fauna consisted of many taxa: Gastropoda, Oligochaeta, Copepoda, Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera, Trichoptera, Lepidoptera, Chironomidae, Coleoptera and Hydracarina. With the exception of May 1991, low density of organisms was registered during the sampling period. During May 1991, a sharp decline in the Paraná River water level was noted. This fact suggested that organisms dispersed in the submersed vegetation during the flooding of the Paraná River must have concentrated in the stream margin and increased the density of organisms at this site. In June 1991, during the lowering of water level a niche reduction occurred. In subsequent months, invertebrates decreased due to predation and competition of many groups.