Benthic crustaceans and macrophytes as indicators of ecological quality in the lakes of the Southern Andes of Ecuador
- Format
- Article
- Status
- publishedVersion
- Description
The taxonomic composition of the litoral benthic limnetic crustacean communities, (branchiopods, copepods and ostracods) and macrophytes of the lacustrine water bodies of the Cajas National Park located in the Southern Andes of Ecuador have been studied in order to identify the most suitable taxa to be used as indicators of the ecological status of lakes. Among the crustaceans (22 taxa) three groups were differentiated. A first group with taxa of higher indicator value including Branchinecta papillata, Ilyocryptus spinosus, Alonella sp, Pleuroxus sp. Paralona pigra and Alona sp. gr. manueli. A second group with medium indicator value including Alona glabra, Alona guttata, Microcyclops sp. Eucyclops sp. and Paracyclops sp. The third group was formed by taxa of the lower indicator value, either because of its eurioic and / or cosmopolitan character or because of its rarity. Macrophytes have been evaluated as good indicators of the ecological and conservation status of the lakes. The taxa which were submerged, floating and rooted in the sediment were identified to be a good indicator for the water body, and helophytes and hygrophytes for the limnetic litoral zone.
Se ha estudiado la composición taxonómica de las comunidades de crustáceos litoral-bentónicos (branquiópodos, copépodos y ostrácodos) y macrófitos de las masas de agua lacustre del Parque Nacional Cajas situado en los Andes Australes de Ecuador, con objeto de identificar los taxones más adecuados para ser utilizados como indicadores del estado ecológico de los lagos. De los crustáceos (22 taxones) se diferencian tres grupos. Un primer grupo con taxones de alto valor indicador formado por Branchinecta papillata, Ilyocryptus spinosus, Alonella sp, Pleuroxus sp. Paralona pigra y Alona sp. gr. manueli. Un segundo grupo con taxones de valor indicador medio formado por Alona glabra, Alona guttata, Microcyclops sp. Eucyclops sp. y Paracyclops sp. El tercer grupo estaría formado por taxones de escaso valor indicador, bien por su carácter eurioico y/o cosmopolita o por su rareza. De los macrófitos se han valorado como buenos indicadores del estado ecológico y de conservación de los lagos, los taxones enraizados sumergidos y flotantes para la masa de agua, y los helófitos e higrófitos para los litorales.
- Publication Year
- 2017
- Language
- spa
- Topic
- Repository
- Revista Universidad de Cuenca
- Rights
- openAccess
- License