Aquatic invertebrates
Biodiversity and ecology of headwaters
Period: 1999-2012
Study area: Settore trentino del Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio
Partner: Museo delle Scienze di Trento
In 1999, the Museo delle Scienze (MUSE), launched a pilot study on running waters, springs and lakes in the Noce Bianco stream catchment, in de la Mare Valley, within five main research projects and tens of masters were carried out. The general aims were: to characterize the different stream types according to hydrology, geomorphology, and physic-chemical parameters; to evaluate the hydropower impacts on benthic communities; to implement the autoecology and adaptive potential of invertebrates, mainly Dipetra Chironomidae with ecological, physiological and molecular approaches, even in relation to the ongoing climate change. Data on 40 sampling sites were collected, located between 2720 and 1600 m asl, on 12 streams, 6 refuge areas (e.g., ponds and small brooks flowing close to the main rivers), and 3 lakes (Marmotte, Lungo e Nero). Fauna was collected using pons net, drift nets, artificial substrates, emergence, light and Malaise traps. More than 210 thousand specimens were collected, distributed among more than 180 taxa (= species or higher taxonomic level), of which 6 new to science (the oligochaetes Cognettia valeriae, Cernosvitoviella longiducta and Cernosvitoviella tridentina; the dipteran non-biting midge Macropelopia rossaroi, the crustaceans Hypocamptus ruffoi and Dyacyclops sp. Under description), besides new species to Trentino and Italy. All the specimens are preserved in the MUSE collections.
Study area: Settore trentino del Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio
Partner: Museo delle Scienze di Trento
In 1999, the Museo delle Scienze (MUSE), launched a pilot study on running waters, springs and lakes in the Noce Bianco stream catchment, in de la Mare Valley, within five main research projects and tens of masters were carried out. The general aims were: to characterize the different stream types according to hydrology, geomorphology, and physic-chemical parameters; to evaluate the hydropower impacts on benthic communities; to implement the autoecology and adaptive potential of invertebrates, mainly Dipetra Chironomidae with ecological, physiological and molecular approaches, even in relation to the ongoing climate change. Data on 40 sampling sites were collected, located between 2720 and 1600 m asl, on 12 streams, 6 refuge areas (e.g., ponds and small brooks flowing close to the main rivers), and 3 lakes (Marmotte, Lungo e Nero). Fauna was collected using pons net, drift nets, artificial substrates, emergence, light and Malaise traps. More than 210 thousand specimens were collected, distributed among more than 180 taxa (= species or higher taxonomic level), of which 6 new to science (the oligochaetes Cognettia valeriae, Cernosvitoviella longiducta and Cernosvitoviella tridentina; the dipteran non-biting midge Macropelopia rossaroi, the crustaceans Hypocamptus ruffoi and Dyacyclops sp. Under description), besides new species to Trentino and Italy. All the specimens are preserved in the MUSE collections.
