Functional feeding groups of macroinvertebrates and their relationship with environmental parameters, case study: in Zarin-Gol River

Feeding strategies are typical traits reflecting the adaptation of species to environmental conditions. The aim of this paper was to find proof that functional feeding groups of benthic macroinvertebrates can be unitized as surrogates for biological assessments. The composition and abundance of functional feeding groups of the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages were surveyed along the Zarin-Gol River, Iran during winter and spring of 2016. Benthic samples in 3 replicates were collected using a Surber sampler (900 cm2 area) from 5 stations (in agricultural land, rural area, forest land, fish culture site and reference site). Ten environmental parameters including (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, Electric conductivity, etc.) of each station were assessed. A total of 901 individuals belonging to 30 families and 9 orders were identified. In terms of relative abundance, Collector/Gatherer and Collector/ Filterers were the predominant groups at most sampling stations. Shredders had low abundance in all stations and were absent in station two. Principal component analysis and cluster ordination showed that there are two distinct groups of benthic macroinvertebrates and stations. The  implication of the observed pattern of variation in the abundance of functional feeding groups was discussed regarding the functions of the ecosystem and water quality assessment.