Colonização de macroinvertebrados bentônicos em detritos foliares em um riacho de primeira ordem na Floresta Atlântica do nordeste brasileiro

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the colonization of Inga ingoides (Leguminosae) leaves by benthic macroinvertebrates in feld experiments. A total of 270 leaf packs, distributed in three stretches, were submerged of similar morphology and physical and chemical parameters of water between February to July 2013, and retrieved after 7, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. Two treatments were used: colonization and exclusion of benthic macroinvertebrates. The leaf weight loss (%R) was greater to colonization than exclusion of benthic fauna, showing the role of macroinvertebrates in the leaf breakdown. Shredders played a minor role in the leaf breakdown. Filtering was the main trophic feeding group (45.6%), followed by predator (31.2%), collector (11.8%), scrapers (6.7%) and shredders (4.8%). Triplectides (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae), Polypedillum, and Stenochironomus (Diptera, Chironomidae) were the most frequent shredders.