Temporal diversity patterns of benthic insects in subterranean streams: a case study in Brazilian quartzite caves

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the diversity patterns of benthic insects and functional feeding groups by assessing the contribution of α and β diversity components over 1 year. Temporal diversity variation as a function of the diversity components and regional rainfall in subterranean streams was also verified. Diversity components varied significantly at different spatial scales. In general, α diversity tended to be smaller and less varied temporally than the β diversity components. In addition, we detected a higher contribution of β2, indicating the importance of the regional species pool. Finally, for all significant models relating diversity values with rainfall, the relationship was negative. Intense flows leached organisms, leading to homogenization of communities. On the other hand, despite this negative effect, each functional feeding group responds differently to the hydrological stress, which makes it difficult to develop community predictability models after a disturbance.