Invertebrates in neotropical floodplains

Abstract

This chapter focuses on invertebrates of seasonal floodplains of large neotropical rivers. These huge wetlands are characterized by an annual monomodal flood pulse with extensive wet-and-dry phases that act as a strong selective agent on life-cycle strategies and physiological adaptations of resident biota. Invertebrates play an important role in the organic matter transfer between the floodplain and the river main stem. There is a remarkable contrast between the low-diversity and rather evenly distributed invertebrate assemblages of the sandy river channels of lowland neotropical rivers, and the high beta biodiversity in their floodplains. River management should maintain the floodpulse that enables the high functional diversity of floodplains and their invertebrates.