Oligochaeta (Annelida, Clitellata) of lotic environments at Parque Estadual Intervales (São Paulo, Brazil)

Abstract

Studies on benthic macroinvertebrates of lotic environments usually focus on the occurrence, distribution, and richness of aquatic insects and decapod crustaceans. Only rarely these studies include the Oligochaeta. The aim of the present study was to examine the occurrence and species richness of Oligochaeta in different substrata patches of lotic environments. The studied included seven stream sites at Parque Estadual Intervales (São Paulo, Brazil). Stream sites differed in size and ranged from first to fourth order. In each stream, qualitative collections were made using a D-type net sampler with 0.21 mm mesh. Measures of pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, temperature and water turbidity were taken in the studied sites during collections of Oligochaeta. Specimens of the Tubificidae (including Naidinae) and Enchytraeidae families were collected. The Tubificidae Aulodrilus limnobius, Limnodrilus neotropicus and Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri were associated with low-flow habitats containing fine organic material. The most representative species among the Naidinae, Nais communis, was predominantly associated with rocky substrates present in fast current locations. The two other Naidinae species, Pristina osborni and Amphichaeta leydigi, presented low frequency in the studied streams. The Enchytraeidae family was present in only one of the sampled habitats.