A study on the biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates in Baghou seasonal Stream - Gorgan Gulf basin

Document Type : scientific research article

Authors

1 Fisheries Department, Agriculture and Natural Resources Faculty, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran.

2 Fisheries Department, Agriculture and Natural Resources Faculty, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran

Abstract

To assess the biodiversity (abundance and species richness) of aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Baghou Stream in the Gorgan Gulf basin, southeastern Caspian Sea, seven monthly sampling surveys were conducted from November 2022 to May 2023 in four sampling sites with three replicates at each site using a surber-sampler (30*30 cm). The results showed that 14 taxa of macroinvertebrates were identified in the level of family (including 4 orders of insects and one order of oligochaetes). Three families including Chironomidae (43.5%), Simuliidae (19.7%), and Beatidae (14.2%) had the highest abundance. The abundance of aquatic macro-invertebrates did not differ significantly in the winter and spring months (p>0.05). Also, the abundance of aquatic macroinvertebrates at site 1 was higher than the other sites. Chironomidae and Simuliidae had higher abundance in winter, while the abundance of Baetidae increased in spring. The rainfall occurred before the 7th (last) sampling event in the Gorgan Bay basin decreased the abundance of Chironomidae and Simuliidae, and increased the abundance of Tubificidae at site 1. Also, the abundance of Baetidae decreased at the forest sites. When the water flow in Baghou stream was uniform and calm, the abundance of aquatic macroinvertebrates did not change; while occurring rainfall and increasing water flow in the streams, although it changed the dominant aquatic species, but it did not generally change the abundance of aquatic macroinvertebrates. This study highlights the importance of maintaining uniform water flow in streams and rivers (maintaining the water balance of aquatic ecosystems) in maintaining biodiversity and maintaining the abundance of aquatic animals.

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Journal of Utilization and Cultivation of Aquatics
Volume 15, Issue 1
April 2026
Pages 245-263

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