Microhabitat use and seasonality of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) in two streams in eastern Cuba

Abstract

We identified groups of mayfly species that share microhabitats in eastern Cuban streams by sampling during rainy and dry seasons in four microhabitats in pools (cobbles, sand, leaf litter and bank vegetation) and one microhabitat (cobbles) in riffles. A total of 20 species and three morphospecies were found. Species similarity in habitat use was analysed using k-means clustering. Overall, the highest number of individuals was collected in cobbles in riffles, followed by cobbles in pools. Five species groups, labelled from I to V, were identified based on their primary microhabitat use. Two groups (I and V) included species with a generalist pattern of habitat use, but differing in seasonality. Species in remaining groups tend to concentrate in specific microhabitats. Species of groups II and IV use mostly cobbles in riffles and in pools, respectively, while species in group III concentrate in sand during the rainy season. Our results allowed to identify the species most vulnerable to alterations of the hydrologic regimen.