Odonata larvae associated with the root system of eichhornia crassipes (pontederiaceae), in the chalons dam, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba Larvas de odonatos asociadas a las raíces de eichhornia crassipes (pontederiaceae), en la represa Halons, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Resumen

Were studied the Odonata’s larvae associated with the root system of Eichhornia crassipes (Mart. Solms) in two localities of the “Chalons”, dam overflow channel locate in Santiago de Cuba, from March 2005 to March 2006. For the Odonata’s larvae in the root system was determining the taxonomic composition and the trophic structure. A Spatial-temporal species group was estimated by the density of individuals and taxa, calculating the total volume by the method of root cone volume. In the study were collected 19 species belonging to four families. The temporal variation was correlated with the rainfall and the number of rainy days, according to Spearman Correlation. On the period of homogeneity of climatic variables the taxa’s and individuals’ density remained stable; however, the oscillations in the both densities were associated with the heterogeneity in the precipitation patterns. The densities of individual were different in both the sampled localities. The relationship between climatic variables, root volume and density of individuals suggests that the number of rainy days and accumulated rainfall influence in the abundance of certain taxa and that the roots of Eichhornia crassipes can be appraised as an important habitat for dragonflies larvae and a great place to find food for them.