Uruguay has a dense hydrographic network, nevertheless the knowledge of the aquatic macroinvertebrate community is still lacking. In recent decades afforestation with exotic species has increased which has produced changes in riparian vegetation of some rivers. The aim of this research was to determine the composition and trophic structure of macroinvertebrate community and its relationship to some physicochemical parameters in eight streams where the native forest is still well preserved and provide the basis for future studies. Samples were collected from December 2006 to December 2007. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity were measured in situ. Taxonomic composition and abundance were determined, a principal component analysis and a canonical correspondence analysis were carried out with the physico-chemical and biological parameters. The alpha diversity was calculated using the Shannon-Weaver (H'), dominance of Simpson (D) and Pielou evenness indexes (J'). Beta diversity was determined employing similarity index of Bray-Curtis. A total of 1 291 specimens belonging 92 taxa were recorded. The most abundant taxa were Ephemeroptera (36%), Amphipoda (17%) and Coleoptera (12%). The streams show high diversity and low dominance. Conductivity, pH, and temperature were the main factors in determining the macroinvertebrate distribution and composition.

Uruguay cuenta con una densa red hidrográfica, a pesar de ello, el conocimiento de las comunidades de macroinvertebrados acuáticos es insuficiente. Sumado a esto, en las últimas décadas se ha producido un avance en la forestación con especies exóticas, provocando cambios en la vegetación ribereña de algunos ríos. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la composición y estructura trófica de la comunidad de macroinvertebrados así como su relación con algunos parámetros fisicoquímicos en 8 ríos donde el bosque nativo se encuentra bien conservado, y sentar las bases para futuros estudios. Las muestras fueron recolectadas entre diciembre de 2006 a diciembre de 2007. Temperatura, oxígeno disuelto, pH y conductividad se midieron in situ. Se determinaron la composición y la abundancia taxonómicas y se realizaron análisis de componentes principales y de correspondencia canónica con los parámetros fisicoquímicos y biológicos. La diversidad alfa se calculó utilizando los índices de Shannon-Weaver (H'), dominancia de Simpson (D) y equidad de Pielou (J'). Para la determinación de la diversidad beta se empleó índice de similitud de Bray-Curtis. Un total de 1 291 ejemplares pertenecientes a 92 taxones fueron registrados. Los taxa más abundantes fueron Ephemeroptera (36%), Amphipoda (17%) y Coleoptera (12%). Los ríos muestran una gran diversidad y una baja dominancia. Conductividad, pH y temperatura fueron los factores principales en la determinación de la distribución y composición de los macroinvertebrados. | Uruguay has a dense hydrographic network, nevertheless the knowledge of the aquatic macroinvertebrate community is still lacking. In recent decades afforestation with exotic species has increased which has produced changes in riparian vegetation of some rivers. The aim of this research was to determine the composition and trophic structure of macroinvertebrate community and its relationship to some physicochemical parameters in eight streams where the native forest is still well preserved and provide the basis for future studies. Samples were collected from December 2006 to December 2007. Temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity were measured in situ. Taxonomic composition and abundance were determined, a principal component analysis and a canonical correspondence analysis were carried out with the physico-chemical and biological parameters. The alpha diversity was calculated using the Shannon-Weaver (H'), dominance of Simpson (D) and Pielou evenness indexes (J'). Beta diversity was determined employing similarity index of Bray-Curtis. A total of 1 291 specimens belonging 92 taxa were recorded. The most abundant taxa were Ephemeroptera (36%), Amphipoda (17%) and Coleoptera (12%). The streams show high diversity and low dominance. Conductivity, pH, and temperature were the main factors in determining the macroinvertebrate distribution and composition.