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Distribution of macroinvertebrate assemblages in the Azul‐Quemquemtreu river basin, Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract Longitudinal and seasonal changes in physical and chemical variables, and macro‐invertebrate community structure‐function were examined in the Azul‐Quemquemtreu river system in the subantarctic forest of Patagonia, Argentina. Patagonian mountain streams have a marked seasonal discharge pattern and may have high suspended sediment loads because of forestry and other land‐use practices. The main physical differences among sites were in substrate size (boulder‐pebble/ sand), mean width (3–37 m), discharge (<1–80 m3 s–1), total alkalinity (275–1210 meq litre–1) and conductivity (31–137 #GMS cm–1). Species richness and Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera richness decreased from upstream sites to the mouth of the river system and were affected by land use. Macroinvertebrate assemblages were influenced by physical (substrate size, width, discharge, current velocity) and chemical (alkalinity and conductivity) variables, and mean density of macroinvertebrates was significantly higher at the Quemquemtreu sites than the Azul sites. Canonical Correspondence Analysis indicated that seasonal trends in macroinvertebrate community composition were related to changes in environmental characteristics of the river, especially water temperature and discharge. The composition of benthic communities in rivers of the Patagonian Andes largely reflect characteristics related to stream size, but factors at the reach scale best explain variation in abundance data. Collector‐gatherers were the dominant functional feeding group at all sites. Faunas have similarities with those of New Zealand in taxonomic‐functional composition, with a predominance of Chironomidae (Diptera), Leptophlebiidae (Ephemeroptera), and Gripopterygidae (Plecoptera).