Macroinvertebrate and algae occurrence data collection of the Laboratorio de Ecología Acuática of the Universidad de Cuenca

Study Extent

Macroinvertebrates were collected for different research purposes in Andean lakes and rivers.
Algae were collected in the research project "Biodiversidad de organismos de agua dulce del Ecuador" in lakes and rivers.

Sampling

Macroinvertebrates: Different methodologies were applied based on the purpose of the study and the sampled ecosystem. In the rivers, quantitative samples were taken using Surber sampler where the sediment was stirred during 30 seconds on the defined area of the net. In the high mountain lakes, in all possible littoral habitats was swept by hand net during 3 minutes period.
Algae: In each lake, a total of 30 liters of water were collected from integrated samples (at three different points) in plastic containers taken from a depth of 0.5 meters; (i) samples were collected at two points at the littoral areas (10 liters each) and (ii) one point in the center of the lake. In the rivers, integrated samples were taken from each river bank (10-10L) and one from the center (10L) of the main channel until completing 30 L. Once the samples were obtained, they were filtered with the use of a plankton net (mesh: 20 microns), which resulted qualitative samples of algae.

Quality Control

Macroinvertebrate: Field protocols were elaborated and applied on the field and in the laboratory for sampling and identification of macroinvertebrates for each research project.
Algae: Rigorous field controls were carried out to ensure the quality of the collected samples. In addition, laboratory controls were carried out to verify the correct taxonomic identification of the specimens and the precision of the measurements made.

Method steps

1. Macroinvertebrate: Samples were taken on the field and conserved in 95 ethanol or 4% formaldehyde. In the laboratory, the samples were washed carefully and identification of all individuals were carried out using specific taxonomic keys.
2. Algae: Water samples were collected in the field and preserved using 4% formaldehyde. In the laboratory, samples were filtered and concentrated before taxonomic identification of the algae was performed. This was carried out by observing specimens under an Olympus CKX41 inverted microscope and taking digital photographs for later analysis. Taxonomic identification was carried out by using specific keys and by comparisons with specialized literature. Finally, the samples were deposited in the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory of the University of Cuenca, Ecuador, for future reference.

Macroinvertebrate: In the South of Ecuadorian region identification of macroinvertebrates is possible only till genus level. At the monitored sites 118 genus were identified. The following number of groups were identified only to family (47), order (1), subclass (2), class (2) and phylum (1)level.
Algae: The identification was carried out at several taxonomic levels. The following groups were identified: variedad (25), species (42), and genus (78).

1. Nematoda
   rank: phylum
2. Ostracoda
   rank: class
3. Oligochaeta
   rank: class
4. Collembola
   rank: subclass
5. Oligochaeta
   rank: subclass
6. Trombidiformes
   rank: order
7. Ancylidae
   rank: family
8. Anomalopsychidae
   rank: family
9. Chironomidae
   rank: family
10. Chrysomelidae
    rank: family
11. Crambidae
    rank: family
12. Culicidae
    rank: family
13. Curculionidae
    rank: family
14. Dixidae
    rank: family
15. Dolichopodidae
    rank: family
16. Elmidae
    rank: family
17. Empididae
    rank: family
18. Ephydridae
    rank: family
19. Glossiphoniidae
    rank: family
20. Gordiidae
    rank: family
21. Gripopterygidae
    rank: family
22. Gyrinidae
    rank: family
23. Helicopsychidae
    rank: family
24. Hydrobiosidae
    rank: family
25. Hydrophilidae
    rank: family
26. Hydropsychidae
    rank: family
27. Hydroptilidae
    rank: family
28. Leptoceridae
    rank: family
29. Leptohyphidae
    rank: family
30. Leptophlebiidae
    rank: family
31. Limnephilidae
    rank: family
32. Limoniidae
    rank: family
33. Lymnaeidae
    rank: family
34. Muscidae
    rank: family
35. Odontoceridae
    rank: family
36. Oligoneuriidae
    rank: family
37. Perlidae
    rank: family
38. Physidae
    rank: family
39. Planorbidae
    rank: family
40. Polycentropodidae
    rank: family
41. Psephenidae
    rank: family
42. Pseudothelphusidae
    rank: family
43. Psychodidae
    rank: family
44. Ptilodactylidae
    rank: family
45. Scirtidae
    rank: family
46. Simuliidae
    rank: family
47. Sphaeriidae
    rank: family
48. Staphylinidae
    rank: family
49. Stratiomyidae
    rank: family
50. Tabanidae
    rank: family
51. Tipulidae
    rank: family
52. Tricorythidae
    rank: family
53. Xiphocentronidae
    rank: family
54. Acrorbis
    rank: genus
55. Aeshna
    rank: genus
56. Allaudomyia
    rank: genus
57. Allopetalia
    rank: genus
58. Americabaetis
    rank: genus
59. Anacroneuria
    rank: genus
60. Anchytarsus
    rank: genus
61. Andesiops
    rank: genus
62. Andogyrus
    rank: genus
63. Anomalocosmoecus
    rank: genus
64. Atanatolica
    rank: genus
65. Atherix
    rank: genus
66. Atopsyche
    rank: genus
67. Atrichopogon
    rank: genus
68. Austrelmis
    rank: genus
69. Austrolimnius
    rank: genus
70. Baetodes
    rank: genus
71. Bezzia
    rank: genus
72. Biomphalaria
    rank: genus
73. Cailloma
    rank: genus
74. Camelobaetidius
    rank: genus
75. Claudioperla
    rank: genus
76. Clinocera
    rank: genus
77. Cloeodes
    rank: genus
78. Contulma
    rank: genus
79. Corydalus
    rank: genus
80. Corynoneura
    rank: genus
81. Cryphocricos
    rank: genus
82. Culicoides
    rank: genus
83. Cylloepus
    rank: genus
84. Cyphon
    rank: genus
85. Cyrnellus
    rank: genus
86. Dixa
    rank: genus
87. Dixella
    rank: genus
88. Ecuaphlebia
    rank: genus
89. Enochrus
    rank: genus
90. Erythrodiplax
    rank: genus
91. Farrodes
    rank: genus
92. Forcipomyia
    rank: genus
93. Fossaria
    rank: genus
94. Gigantodax
    rank: genus
95. Girardia
    rank: genus
96. Goeldechironomus
    rank: genus
97. Grumichella
    rank: genus
98. Haplohyphes
    rank: genus
99. Hatia
    rank: genus
100. Helichus
     rank: genus
101. Helicopsyche
     rank: genus
102. Helobdella
     rank: genus
103. Heterelmis
     rank: genus
104. Hexacylloepus
     rank: genus
105. Hexanchorus
     rank: genus
106. Hexatoma
     rank: genus
107. Hexatomini
     rank: genus
108. Huleechius
     rank: genus
109. Hyalella
     rank: genus
110. Hydra
     rank: genus
111. Hydraena
     rank: genus
112. Ishnura
     rank: genus
113. Lachlania
     rank: genus
114. Lancetes
     rank: genus
115. Leptohyphes
     rank: genus
116. Leptonema
     rank: genus
117. Leucotrichia
     rank: genus
118. Limnocoris
     rank: genus
119. Limnophora
     rank: genus
120. Limonia
     rank: genus
121. Limonicola
     rank: genus
122. Liodessus
     rank: genus
123. Lispe
     rank: genus
124. Macrelmis
     rank: genus
125. Marilia
     rank: genus
126. Maurina
     rank: genus
127. Mayobaetis
     rank: genus
128. Metrichia
     rank: genus
129. Microcylloepus
     rank: genus
130. Molophilus
     rank: genus
131. Mortoniella
     rank: genus
132. Nanomis
     rank: genus
133. Nectopsyche
     rank: genus
134. Neocylloepus
     rank: genus
135. Neoelmis
     rank: genus
136. Neoplasta
     rank: genus
137. Neotrichia
     rank: genus
138. Notelmis
     rank: genus
139. Ochrotrichia
     rank: genus
140. Orimarga
     rank: genus
141. Onychelmis
     rank: genus
142. Oxyethira
     rank: genus
143. Palpomyia
     rank: genus
144. Paltostoma
     rank: genus
145. Pericoma
     rank: genus
146. Petrophila
     rank: genus
147. Pharceonus
     rank: genus
148. Pheneps
     rank: genus
149. Phylloicus
     rank: genus
150. Pisidium
     rank: genus
151. Polycentropus
     rank: genus
152. Polymera
     rank: genus
153. Prebaetodes
     rank: genus
154. Pseudosuccinea
     rank: genus
155. Psychoda
     rank: genus
156. Rhantus
     rank: genus
157. Rhinoaeshna
     rank: genus
158. Simulium
     rank: genus
159. Smicridea
     rank: genus
160. Sphaerium
     rank: genus
161. Stenelmis
     rank: genus
162. Stenochironomus
     rank: genus
163. Stenophysa
     rank: genus
164. Tabanus
     rank: genus
165. Theromyzon
     rank: genus
166. Thraulodes
     rank: genus
167. Tipula
     rank: genus
168. Tricorythodes
     rank: genus
169. Triplectides
     rank: genus
170. Tropisternus
     rank: genus
171. Xenelmis
     rank: genus
172. aequalis
     rank: variety
173. amazonensis
     rank: variety
174. ayayense
     rank: variety
175. borgei
     rank: variety
176. brasiliense
     rank: variety
177. brasiliensis
     rank: variety
178. contractum
     rank: variety
179. convergens
     rank: variety
180. cornutum
     rank: variety
181. curvata
     rank: variety
182. dichotoma
     rank: variety
183. elegantior
     rank: variety
184. mediolaeve
     rank: variety
185. minutum
     rank: variety
186. nordstedtiana
     rank: variety
187. ovale
     rank: variety
188. pecten
     rank: variety
189. perornatum
     rank: variety
190. perspinosum
     rank: variety
191. pyramidatum
     rank: variety
192. radiosa
     rank: variety
193. reductum
     rank: variety
194. spinosa
     rank: variety
195. subvillosum
     rank: variety
196. triangulare
     rank: variety
197. abruptum
     rank: species
198. baileyi
     rank: species
199. borreri
     rank: species
200. convergens
     rank: species
201. dissiliens
     rank: species
202. furcatospermum
     rank: species
203. grevillei
     rank: species
204. hystrix
     rank: species
205. laticeps
     rank: species
206. mucosa
     rank: species
207. nodosum
     rank: species
208. pseudoconnatum
     rank: species
209. swartzii
     rank: species
210. trabecula
     rank: species
211. triangularis
     rank: species
212. trilobum
     rank: species
213. varians
     rank: species
214. Actinella
     rank: genus
215. Amphipleura
     rank: genus
216. Amphora
     rank: genus
217. Asterionella
     rank: genus
218. Aulacoseira
     rank: genus
219. Biddulphia
     rank: genus
220. Closterium
     rank: genus
221. Cocconeis
     rank: genus
222. Coscinodiscus
     rank: genus
223. Cyclotella
     rank: genus
224. Cymbella
     rank: genus
225. Diploneis
     rank: genus
226. Epithemia
     rank: genus
227. Eunotia
     rank: genus
228. Fragilaria
     rank: genus
229. Frustulia
     rank: genus
230. Gomphonema
     rank: genus
231. Gyrosigma
     rank: genus
232. Hantzschia
     rank: genus
233. Melosira
     rank: genus
234. Mougeotia
     rank: genus
235. Navicula
     rank: genus
236. Neidium
     rank: genus
237. Nitzschia
     rank: genus
238. Orthoseira
     rank: genus
239. Pinnularia
     rank: genus
240. Rhopalodia
     rank: genus
241. Sellaphora
     rank: genus
242. Spirogyra
     rank: genus
243. Stauroneis
     rank: genus
244. Stenopterobia
     rank: genus
245. Surirella
     rank: genus
246. Trachelomonas
     rank: genus
247. Ulnaria
     rank: genus
248. Zygnema
     rank: genus

Sampling stations are located in the high mountains of South of Ecuador nearby the city of Cuenca between -3.06963 and -2.64968 (WGS84) latitude and -79.00267 and -79.48180 (WGS84) longitude. Additionally, some algae samples were collected in the Amazon region between -0.0042333 and -2.610259 (WGS84) latitude and -75,23575 and -77.018503 (WGS84) longitude.