Macroinvertebrates in Brazilian reservoirs
Description
This dataset refers to the benthic macroinvertebrate taxa collected between 2018 and 2020 in the Ilha Solteira and Chavantes reservoirs, in aquaculture areas with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) production in net cages. The central hypothesis is that benthic communities located near net cages would exhibit lower richness and diversity of organisms compared to areas farther from fish production sites.
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Steps to reproduce
Sediments sampling was performed in triplicate using an Ekman dredge (area = 225 cm²) across four sections: upstream (n = 1), net cages (n = 2), downstream (n = 1), and rivers (n = 2), totaling 18 samples per aquaculture enterprise. Additionally, one extra sample was collected in each section for molecular biology identification analysis, totaling 12 samples. Samples were analyzed for organic matter content (%OM), grain size distribution, and metal concentrations. The sediments were washed in a benthic mesh bag with a 0.250 mm mesh, stored in labeled containers, and preserved using an appropriate preservative medium for identification analysis (4% formaldehyde). In the Laboratory of Aquaculture and Ecotoxicology (LAE) at Embrapa Meio Ambiente, the samples were washed through a 0.250 mm mesh sieve and the benthic organism specimens were sorted using a binocular stereo microscope. Taxa were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Bivalves, gastropods, and annelids were identified under a stereomicroscope, and Chironomidae larvae (Diptera) were mounted on slides with Hoyer’s medium and analyzed under a binocular light microscope. The identifications followed dichotomous or illustrated taxonomic keys for aquatic macroinvertebrates available for the Neotropical region (Simone et al., 2009; Mugnai et al., 2010; Trivinho-Strixino, 2023).
Institutions
- EMBRAPA Centro Nacional de Pesquisas em Meio Ambiente