Benthic invertebrates nestedness in flood and drought periods in a Neotropical floodplain: looking for the richest environments

摘要: Aim Floodplains are among the most biologically diverse systems in world, where hydrological regime is recognized as crucial to structure aquatic communities. We predicted that i) of benthic metacommunity nested drought and random flood season a Neotropical floodplain. expected find ii) environmental homogenization during which may disrupt pattern. Moreover, we identified habitats high taxa richness invertebrates characterized them by habitat type fluvial systems. Methods sampled from 36 Upper Parana River tested nestedness using NODF index evaluated variability multivariate homogeneity group dispersions (PERMDISP), separately for periods. Results The was lower flood. found distribution both highest species values were recorded small unconnected lakes system some rivers secondary channels, independent system. Chironomidae, Oligochaeta Ostracoda frequent all habitats. Conclusion consistent pattern this because its not disrupted floods homogenize limnological conditions increase connectivity also with lotic lentic three Our findings emphasize different subsystems sustains floodplain over time.