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Abstract
Aquatic environments in the Madrean Sky Islands (MSI) consist of a matrix of perennial and intermittent stream segments, seasonal ponds, and human-built cattle trough habitats that support a diverse suite of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Although environmental conditions and aquatic communities are generally distinct in lotic and lentic habitats, MSI streams are characterized by isolated perennial pools for much of the year, and thus seasonally occur as lentic environments. In this study, we compared habitat characteristics and Coleoptera and Hemiptera assemblages of stream pools with those of true lentic habitats (seasonal ponds and cattle troughs) across the MSI. We identified 150 species across the 38 sites, and despite superficial similarities in habitat characteristics, seasonal ponds and stream pools in the MSI support distinct aquatic insect communities. Stream-exclusive species included many long-lived species with poor dispersal abilities, while pond-exclusive species tended to have rapid development times and strong dispersal abilities. We suggest that, in addition to perennial streams, seasonal aquatic habitats should also be a focus of conservation planning in the MSI.
Parent Publication
Keywords
Madrean Archipelago,
Sky Islands,
southwestern United States,
northern Mexico,
natural environment,
fauna,
flora,
research,
management,
biodiversity,
climate change
Citation
Bogan, Michael T.; Gutierrez-Ruacho, Oscar; Alvarado-Castro, J. Andres; Lytle, David A. 2013. Habitat type and Permanence determine local aquatic invertebrate community structure in the Madrean Sky Islands. In: Gottfried, Gerald J.; Ffolliott, Peter F.; Gebow, Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Collins, Loa C. Merging science and management in a rapidly changing world: Biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago III and 7th Conference on Research and Resource Management in the Southwestern Deserts; 2012 May 1-5; Tucson, AZ. Proceedings. RMRS-P-67. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 277-282.
