Macroinvertebrate Communities Differences on Riverine Parts and Reservoirs of Zarrineh River

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify present macro invertebrate’s fauna in reverine and reservoir parts of the Zarrinehrood River for fisheries purposes. The abundance and species composition of macro invertebrate were analyzed and compared in various parts of the Zarrinehrood River (west Azerbaijan, Iran) during November 2008-February 2009 to evaluate the rivers benthic fauna as a resource of fish and fowl feeding. Totally 67 macro invertebrate species were found in Zarrinehrood River. Concerning the macro invertebrate density, a high-density was detected on the summer thanks to the development of bacteria and moderate meta zooplanktons on the rivers bed. The density of Oligochaeta was higher on the polluted sites and dipper zone of the reservoirs but the population of chironomidae larvae increased on the heterotrophic shallow areas. Patchy distribution of Gastropod, Amphipod and Trichoptera occurred in the reverie stations with high water speed and dissolved oxygen. It was concluded that different environmental characteristics and eutrophication degrees of the sampled stations seem to be the main factors that determined the macro invertebrate’s colonization and abundance. Therefore, preserving better trophy condition can guarantee biodiversity richness in various parts of the Zarrinehrood River.