Small streams, at the Biological Dynamics of Fragmented Forest Project - INPA ca. 80 Km north from the city of Manaus (Amazonas, Braszil) , were studied concerning the composition of the aquatic insects communities in different substrates. In each one of the 20 stretches, four samples of the principal biotopes were collected: leaf litter in riffle areas, leaf litter deposited on the botton of the stream, sand and roots/vegetation on marginal banks.The aim of this study were to evaluate the aquatic insect fauna and relate it with specific substrates inside the igarapé. Leaf litter in riffle presented high richness number (106) while sand showed the lowest value (55). Higher similarity values occurred between leaf litter deposited on the botton and marginal roots/vegetation. Lower values occurred between leaf litter in riffle and sand substrates. Some collected taxa were considered indicators of one type of substrate, but there were some taxa that showed no preference. The indicator taxa occurred in riffle litter were found in deposited leaf litter in Southeast streams of Brazil. This indicates the current velocity may be responsible for the community established. The size of the stream is related to the order and flow regime. In this study bigger streams (presenting higher values of flow and order) showed more distinct communities in each substrate than the smaller ones.
Amazônia; Igarapés; Aquatic insects; Spatial distribution; Substrates
