Benthic macroinvertebrate community in the Sinos river drainage basin, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Aquatic macroin vertebrate fauna is a relevant component of limnic continental aquatic ecosystems, playing an important role in several processes with relevant biocomplexity. The present study characterized the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna found in three hydric bodies in the Sinos river drainage basin regarding community structure. Sample was collected from January to December 2013 in three locations in the basin: the city of Caraa (29 degrees 45' 45.5" S/50 degrees 19'37.3"W), the city of Rolante (29 degrees 38'34.4"S/50 degrees 32'33.2"W) and the city of Igrejinha (29 degrees 36'10.84"S/50 degrees 48'49.3"W). Abiotic components (pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature) were registered and collected samples were identified up to family type. Average annual pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature were similar in all locations. A total of 26,170 samples were collected. Class Insecta (Arthropods) represented 85.5% of total sample. Platyhelmintes, Mollusca and Annelida samples were also registered. A total of 57 families were identified for the drainage basin and estimators (Chao-1, Chao-2 and jackknife 2) estimated richness varying from 60 to 72 families.