Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Frank Chukwuzuoke Akamagwuna, Augustine Ovie Edegbene, Phindiwe Ntloko, Francis Ofurum Arimoro, Chika Felicitas Nnadozie, Dennis Junior Choruma, Oghenekaro Nelson Odume
Summary: This study examined the distribution patterns of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera functional feeding groups (EPT FFGs) in streams in the Tsitsa River catchment in South Africa. The results showed that physicochemical variables, such as phosphate-phosphorus and total inorganic nitrogen, significantly influenced the distribution patterns of EPT FFGs. Collectors were the most abundant FFGs in the study area and their response was associated with phosphate-phosphorus.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
A. Luiza-Andrade, R. R. Silva, Y. Shimano, A. P. J. Faria, M. N. Cardoso, L. S. Brasil, R. Ligeiro, R. T. Martins, N. Hamada, L. Juen
Summary: Despite advances in recent years, there is still a lack of information on the habitat specificity of many aquatic insects, especially in diverse regions like the Amazon. This study evaluates the relationship between niche breadth and habitat specificity of aquatic insects in 219 streams. The results show that environmental changes can favor specialist insects and that some taxa occupy less frequently occupied habitats.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Frank Chukwuzuoke Akamagwuna, Phindiwe Ntloko, Augustine Ovie Edegbene, Oghenekaro Nelson Odume
Summary: This study identified rural indicator and sensitive traits of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) taxa by examining their trait distribution pattern in relation to rural pollution. Traits such as large body size, swimming, and shredding were considered tolerant signature traits of semi-urban pollution, while small body size, operculate gills, spherical body shape, and preference for sediments were correlated with sensitive traits of semi-urban disturbance. Overall, the study provided critical insights into how semi-urban activities influence EPT traits in the Tsitsa River.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2021)
Article
Biology
Marek Let, Jan Cerny, Petra Novakova, Filip Lozek, Martin Blaha
Summary: Mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies are aquatic insects commonly used as environmental quality indicators. This study focused on how these insects reacted to human-induced environmental gradients, particularly in a stream ecosystem impacted by mining, smelting activities, and high levels of pollutants. The results showed significant declines in stoneflies but higher abundances of caddisflies at affected sites, highlighting the complex responses of these insects to environmental stressors.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
David C. Houghton
Summary: The study found that watershed-scale habitat disturbance decreases nearly all EPT taxa, regardless of FFG. It also demonstrated the importance of biomass values rather than simple specimen counts when calculating metrics, and the utility of sampling EPT adults with ultraviolet lights relative to sampling benthic specimens.
Article
Fisheries
Gabrielle Soares Muniz Pacheco, Thais Giovannini Pellegrini, Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira
Summary: The study found significant differences in benthic macroinvertebrate fauna between caves of different lithologies, indicating potential regional influences. Cave lithology affects water chemical and physical characteristics, thus supporting different EPT assemblages.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Juan Mateo Rivera-Perez, Yulie Shimano, Ana Luiza-Andrade, Nelson Silva Pinto, Lucimar G. Dias, Karine Santos Ferreira, Samir Rolim, Leandro Juen
Summary: This study evaluated the abundance and richness of generalist and specialist genera of EPT in response to mining activities in the Carajas National Forest, Brazil. It found that mining had a negative effect on the richness of specialists but a positive effect on their abundance. On the other hand, generalists negatively responded to mining in terms of richness and abundance.
Article
Agronomy
Carlos Fernandez R. Pulido, Jim Rasmussen, Jorgen Eriksen, Diego Abalos
Summary: This study found that cover crops can reduce nitrogen leaching, but little research has been done on their potential to reduce N2O emissions and the main traits that drive both N losses. The effects of cover crop species and root traits on plant nitrogen uptake, N losses, and soil inorganic N were significant, while the differences within functional groups were small. Therefore, the best choice in selecting cover crops to reduce N losses should be based on species-specific traits and high root N uptake.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Paulo Geovani Silva Gomes, Edgar Luis Lima, Samantha Ribeiro Silva, Leandro Juen, Leandro Schlemmer Brasil
Summary: We conducted a systematic review to analyze the characteristics of studies on the impacts of land use change on adult EPT communities. The results showed that most studies were conducted in Europe and North America, focusing on the group Trichoptera. Light traps were the most commonly used sampling method. The study also found significant differences in adult EPT communities between open areas and forests, suggesting negative impacts of forest conversion on these communities. This systematic review can provide important guidance for researchers in selecting appropriate collection methods and taxonomic groups for their studies.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Zhenxing Ma, Ran Li, Binqing Zhu, Xuhongyi Zheng, Changfa Zhou
Summary: This study sequenced 15 mitochondrial genomes of Epeorus and compared them with six available ones in the NCBI database, revealing gene rearrangements and differences in genetic composition and codon usage among species. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that three subgenera, Proepeorus, Belovius, and Iron, are not monophyletic groups.
Article
Ecology
Achraf Guellaf, Majida El Alami, Jalal Kassout, Sanae Errochdi, Osama Khadri, Kawtar Kettani
Summary: This study examined the responses of EPT taxa to major physicochemical and hydro-morphological factors, finding that their abundance and distribution were positively correlated with factors such as dissolved oxygen and pH. Significant biotypological differences were observed among different stream types, indicating a diverse range of EPT species in the Martil basin.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thayara Belo Leal, Rory Senna Oliveira, Tommaso Giarrizzo, Bruno Spacek Godoy
Summary: The drift movement refers to the displacement of organisms within the water column, allowing for passive locomotion. This movement leads to variations in organism communities along the river, generating spatial patterns. The study tested two hypotheses: a) upstream-downstream drift creates a nestedness pattern, where the upstream communities are a subset of downstream communities; b) an increase in the number of individuals and genera is expected closer to the downstream point. Sampling was conducted at night in seven points along the Xingu River. Results showed a constant number of genera along the river, and no nestedness distribution in the upstream-downstream gradient. However, there was a turnover of genera in the longitudinal gradient, with an accumulation of genera in the downstream region. Organisms transported by water flow adapt to the characteristics of the environment they are in.
Article
Ecology
Oskar Schroeder, Julio Schneider, Tilman Schell, Linda Seifert, Steffen U. Pauls
Summary: Research indicates that dispersal abilities and life-history traits of aquatic invertebrates influence gene flow and population structure. Significant population structure was found in the mayfly and amphipod species, while the stonefly exhibited signs of panmixia in Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sophie C. Koster, Angelica J. Pytel, David C. Houghton
Summary: This study evaluated the river continuum concept using the ash-free dry mass of winged adult Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) specimens. The results showed a strong correlation between environmental gradient and biomass differences of functional feeding groups (FFG). Additionally, the study found that shredders have a greater ecological impact than previously reported.
JOURNAL OF FRESHWATER ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Romane Rozanski, David Eme, Anne Boiron Leroy, Marta M. M. Rufino, Camille Albouy
Summary: The global biodiversity crisis poses a threat to marine ecosystem functioning and services. Assessing community responses to environmental changes involves studying functional diversity, which is related to organism-environment interactions and estimated through biological traits. Although fish are important in marine systems and for human protein supply, knowledge about the intraspecific variability of their functional traits is limited.