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23 October 2024 Diversity of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Associated with Bromeliaceae Plants in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic
Pedro María Alarcón-Elbal, María Altagracia Rodríguez Sosa, Jesús Confesor Durán Tiburcio, Juan Rueda Sevilla, Benjamin W. van Ee
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Abstract

Among the different ecosystems colonized by aquatic macroinvertebrates, phytotelmic habitats, those that form in water retained within various plant structures, represent ample opportunity for study. In the case of plants from the Bromeliaceae family, morphological characteristics such as rosettes of leaves allow for the formation of reservoirs that store water and detritus, which also harbor a diverse fauna of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Some of these invertebrates are of medical relevance because they serve as vectors of pathogens. In this study, we set out to document the biodiversity of phytotelmic systems at the level of aquatic macroinvertebrates, particularly mosquitoes, that colonize different bromeliad species in the municipality of Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. In addition to sampling macroinvertebrates, various morphometric characteristics of the plants, as well as physical-chemical parameters of the water contained in the bromeliads, were recorded. Insects were identified to the family level, while other invertebrates were identified to order, except for flatworms, which were identified to class. Specimens from the Culicidae family were identified to species. A total of 10,500 individuals were collected, corresponding to three phyla, seven classes, and 12 orders. Phylum Arthropoda accounted for 88.7% of all the captured organisms, followed by Annelida (10.8%); the remaining (0.5%) belong to phylum Platyhelminthes. At the rank of Class, Ostracoda accounted for 53.8% of all captured organisms, followed by Insecta (26.9%). In terms of orders, Podocopida (which includes all Ostracoda) represented 53.8% of the captured individuals, followed by Diptera (26.4%). Within Diptera, five different families were identified; Chironomidae was the most abundant with 43.9%, followed by Culicidae with 38.4%. Six species of culicids were identified, of which 74.9% were Wyeomyia mitchellii, with the remainder consisting of Aedes aegypti, A. albonotatus, A. albopictus, Culex biscaynensis, and W. vanduzeei. Family Pseudostigmatidae (Odonata) is documented for the first time in Hispaniola, and family Scirtidae (Coleoptera) for the second time.

De entre los diferentes ecosistemas que colonizan los macroinvertebrados acuáticos, los ambientes fitotélmicos, aquellos que se generan en agua retenida en diferentes estructuras vegetales, representan amplias oportunidades para estudiar. En el caso de las plantas de la familia Bromeliaceae, característicasmorfológicascomorosetasdehojaspermitenlaformacióndereceptáculosdealmacenamiento de agua y detritos, en la que además existe una fauna diversa de macroinvertebrados acuáticos. Algunos de estos invertebrados son de relevancia médica por ser vectores de patógenos. En este estudio nos dedicamos a documentar la biodiversidad de los sistemas fitotélmicos a nivel de macroinvertebrados acuáticos, particularmente mosquitos, que colonizan las diferentes especies de bromelias en el municipio de Jarabacoa, República Dominicana. Además de muestrear macroinvertebrados, también se registraron diferentes características morfométricas de las plantas, así como parámetros físico-químicos del agua contenida en las bromelias. Los insectos se identificaron a nivel de familia, mientras que otros invertebrados se identificaron a orden, excepto los platelmintos que se identificaron a clase. Especímenes de la familia Culicidae se identificaron a especie. Se colectaron 10,500 individuos, correspondientes a tres filos, siete clases y 12 órdenes. El filo Arthropoda representa el 88.7% de todos los organismos capturados, seguido de Annelida (10.8%); el resto (0.5%) pertenece al filo Platyhelminthes. En el rango de Clase, Ostracoda representa el 53.8% de todos los organismos capturados seguida de Insecta (26.9%). En relación con los órdenes, Podocopida (que incluye todos los Ostracoda) representa el 53.8% de los individuos capturados, seguido de Diptera (26.4%). Dentro de Diptera, se identificaron cinco familias diferentes; Chironomidae fue la más abundante con el 43.9%, seguida de Culicidae con el 38.4%. Se identificaron seis especies de culícidos, de los cuales el 74.9% fueron Wyeomyia mitchellii, y el resto consistieron en Aedes aegypti, A. albonotatus, A. albopictus, Culex biscaynensis y W. vanduzeei. La familia Pseudostigmatidae (Odonata) es documentado por primera vez en La Española, y la familia Scirtidae (Coleoptera) por segunda vez.

Pedro María Alarcón-Elbal, María Altagracia Rodríguez Sosa, Jesús Confesor Durán Tiburcio, Juan Rueda Sevilla, and Benjamin W. van Ee "Diversity of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Associated with Bromeliaceae Plants in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic," Caribbean Journal of Science 54(2), 369-406, (23 October 2024). https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v54i2.a17
Published: 23 October 2024
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