The use of macroinvertebrates functional feeding groups in biological assessment of little Zab River

Document Type : (original research)

Authors

1 Department of Fisheries, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Aquatic Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Fisheries Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

4 Caspian Sea Ecology Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute (IFSRI), Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Sari, Iran

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of human activities on health and determination of water quality using biological index of macroinvertebrates functional feeding groups. Sampling of macroinvertebrates was monthly performed using a surber sampler from 4 stations in 2017. During one year of sampling, 46475 samples of macroinvertebrates were collected belonging to 16 orders, 35 families and 49 genera. Macroinvertebrates included five functional feeding groups including Collector-Filterer (CF), Collector-Gatherer(CG), Scraper (SCR), Shredder (SHR), Predator (PRD) and Parasite. CG and CF groups had the highest relative frequencies in all study stations, except station 3, where CG and PRD groups were dominant, respectively. In stations with high pollution (especially station 1), the frequency of CG feeding group has increased significantly compared to other stations (especially stations 2 and 4) (ANOVA; F=0.011, p<0.05). Based on the results obtained from the distribution of macroinvertebrates and their food behavior, the impact of human activities including the entry of agricultural, urban, and rural wastewaters to the little Zab river is quite evident and the stations affected by different types of effluents (Station 1 and 4) had the most unfavorable conditions. Therefore, by examining the macroinvertebrates functional feeding group with the least time and cost, it is possible to find possible anomalies caused by human activities and changes in water quality of little Zab river ecosystems.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Journal of Animal Environment
Volume 13, Issue 3
October 2021
Pages 355-362

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