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Adequate environmental management in tropical aquatic ecosystems is imperative. Given the lack of knowledge about functional diversity and bioassessment programs, management is missing the needed evidence on pollution and its effect on biodiversity and functional ecology. Therefore, we investigated the composition and distribution of the macroinvertebrate community along two rivers. Specifically, 15 locations were sampled in the Coca and Aguarico Rivers (Ecuadorian Amazon) and the macroinvertebrates were used to indicate water quality (WQ), expressed as the Biological Monitoring Working Party Colombia (BMWP-Col) classes. Results indicate that elevation, pH, temperature, width, and water depth played an important role in the taxa and functional feeding groups (FFG) composition. The results show that diversity of taxa and FFG were generally scarce but were more abundant in good quality sites. Collector-gathers (CG) were, in general, dominant and were particularly abundant at low WQ and downstream sites. Scrapers (SC) were the second most abundant group, dominating mostly at good WQ and upstream sites. Predators (PR) were homogeneously distributed among the sites, without clear dominance, and their abundance was slightly higher in sites with medium-low WQ and downstream sites. Lastly, both shredders (SH) and collector-filterers (CF) were almost absent and were more abundant in good quality sites. The findings of this research can be used as baseline information in the studied region since a dam was constructed two years after the sampling campaign, which has been operating since. Furthermore, the results can be used to fill the knowledge gaps related to the bioassessments of other similar systems, particularly for a tropical rainforest.
Santiago Cabrera; Marie Eurie Forio; Koen Lock; Marte Vandenbroucke; Tania Oña; Miguel Gualoto; Peter Goethals; Christine Van der Heyden. Variations in Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities and Biological Quality in the Aguarico and Coca River Basins in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Water 2021, 13, 1692 .
AMA StyleSantiago Cabrera, Marie Eurie Forio, Koen Lock, Marte Vandenbroucke, Tania Oña, Miguel Gualoto, Peter Goethals, Christine Van der Heyden. Variations in Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities and Biological Quality in the Aguarico and Coca River Basins in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Water. 2021; 13 (12):1692.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSantiago Cabrera; Marie Eurie Forio; Koen Lock; Marte Vandenbroucke; Tania Oña; Miguel Gualoto; Peter Goethals; Christine Van der Heyden. 2021. "Variations in Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities and Biological Quality in the Aguarico and Coca River Basins in the Ecuadorian Amazon." Water 13, no. 12: 1692.
Oceanic islands harbor unique yet fragile marine ecosystems that require evidence-based environmental management. Among these islands, the Galapagos archipelago is well known for its fish diversity, but the factors that structure communities within and between its islands remain poorly understood. In this study, water quality, physical habitats and geographical distance were assessed as potential predictors for the diversity and structure of fish assemblages. Differences in the structure of fish assemblages of the two studied islands (Santa Cruz and Floreana) were most likely driven by temperature and nutrient concentrations. In the relatively highly populated island Santa Cruz, the structure of fish assemblages was more affected by water conditions than physical habitats while the contrary was true for the more pristine area of Floreana. A wide variety of species with different geographical origins were distributed over the different islands, which indicates that most fish species are able to reach the islands of the archipelago. However, temperature gradients and elevated nutrient levels cause large differences in the structure of local fish assemblages. In addition, in Santa Cruz nutrient concentrations were negatively correlated with
Stijn Bruneel; Wout Van Echelpoel; Long Ho; Heleen Raat; Amber Schoeters; Niels De Troyer; Ratha Sor; José Ponton-Cevallos; Ruth Vandeputte; Christine Van der Heyden; Nancy De Saeyer; Marie Forio; Rafael Bermudez; Luis Dominguez-Granda; Stijn Luca; Tom Moens; Peter Goethals. Assessing the Drivers behind the Structure and Diversity of Fish Assemblages Associated with Rocky Shores in the Galapagos Archipelago. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 2021, 9, 375 .
AMA StyleStijn Bruneel, Wout Van Echelpoel, Long Ho, Heleen Raat, Amber Schoeters, Niels De Troyer, Ratha Sor, José Ponton-Cevallos, Ruth Vandeputte, Christine Van der Heyden, Nancy De Saeyer, Marie Forio, Rafael Bermudez, Luis Dominguez-Granda, Stijn Luca, Tom Moens, Peter Goethals. Assessing the Drivers behind the Structure and Diversity of Fish Assemblages Associated with Rocky Shores in the Galapagos Archipelago. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 2021; 9 (4):375.
Chicago/Turabian StyleStijn Bruneel; Wout Van Echelpoel; Long Ho; Heleen Raat; Amber Schoeters; Niels De Troyer; Ratha Sor; José Ponton-Cevallos; Ruth Vandeputte; Christine Van der Heyden; Nancy De Saeyer; Marie Forio; Rafael Bermudez; Luis Dominguez-Granda; Stijn Luca; Tom Moens; Peter Goethals. 2021. "Assessing the Drivers behind the Structure and Diversity of Fish Assemblages Associated with Rocky Shores in the Galapagos Archipelago." Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 9, no. 4: 375.
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a fungus that parasites vertebrates, and is associated with population declines worldwide in endemic amphibian species. As such, it is one of several invasive species which pose a serious threat to a variety of vertebrate hosts, in casu: amphibians. Detection of such invasive species is generally based on DNA-based methods where, for instance, swabs or tissue samples of candidate hosts are analysed for their presence. Any management strategy of these invasive species would greatly benefit from sensitive and rapid detection methods which can be applied at a large scale. The analysis of eDNA from the habitat of candidate host organisms may hold significant potential for this purpose. In this study, we compare the ability of eDNA from habitat samples with that of swab and/or tissue samples of candidate hosts to detect the presence of Bd in Ecuador. We collected individuals from the amphibians: Pristimantis (Anura: Craugastoridae), Rhinella (Anura: Bufonidae), Gastroteca (Anura: Hemiphractidae), from the endangered toad species of the genus Atelopus (Anura: Bufonidae) as well as water samples from different water bodies in Andean and coastal Ecuadorian areas. Samples were processed using a portable field molecular laboratory. Commercial primers for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), in combination with a new set of primers designed from Bd sequences from tropical countries, were used. Positive PCR results from both types of samples were obtained within eight hours after sampling. Prevalence of BD was detected in eDNA, swab and tissue samples in four of the six ecosystems monitored -14 out of 26 water samples and 27 out of 43 amphibian of in total 12 species- including three endangered toad species (Atelopus balios, A. nanay, and the rediscovered A. bomolochos). Our results highlight the potential of eDNA-based monitoring to assess the presence and prevalence of Bd in Ecuadorian aquatic ecosystems, in accordance with the National Action Plan for the Conservation of Ecuadorian Amphibians. Furthermore, our field lab approach leads to reliable and fast results for the monitoring of invasive species in a tropical context of a pandemic.
Lenin Riascos-Flores; Andrea Carrera; Leopoldo Naranjo; Jomira Yanez; Peter Goethals; Julio Bonilla; Jorge Celi; Christine Van der Heyden; Mauricio Ortega. DNA-based biomonitoring in the tropics: Detection and control of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Ecuadorian ecosystem. ARPHA Conference Abstracts 2021, 4, e65304 .
AMA StyleLenin Riascos-Flores, Andrea Carrera, Leopoldo Naranjo, Jomira Yanez, Peter Goethals, Julio Bonilla, Jorge Celi, Christine Van der Heyden, Mauricio Ortega. DNA-based biomonitoring in the tropics: Detection and control of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Ecuadorian ecosystem. ARPHA Conference Abstracts. 2021; 4 ():e65304.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLenin Riascos-Flores; Andrea Carrera; Leopoldo Naranjo; Jomira Yanez; Peter Goethals; Julio Bonilla; Jorge Celi; Christine Van der Heyden; Mauricio Ortega. 2021. "DNA-based biomonitoring in the tropics: Detection and control of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Ecuadorian ecosystem." ARPHA Conference Abstracts 4, no. : e65304.
Ecuador is well-known as one of the most biodiverse countries, but this species richness is being threatened by invasive alien species. The early detection of these invasive species is crucial for their fast and successful eradication and for limiting their effects on aquatic communities. Therefore, a Belgian VLIR-UOS project was started that aims at the development of a fast detection method to monitor the Ecuadorian Amazon river basin for the presence of invasive fishes, macroinvertebrates and amphibians. An (e)DNA field lab, equipped with miniaturized and portable DNA-processing equipment, such as centrifuges, thermal cyclers, and electrophoresis equipment (MiniPCR), was developed. In the next phase, the Nanopore Next-Generation sequencing (NGS) technique (MinION) will be optimized to enable the eDNA-based biomonitoring of tropical aquatic environments in the field. The fast detection of invasive species may help to prevent their further spread and perhaps even facilitate their eradication, and will promote more effective actions for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, new DNA-sequences of amphibians, macroinvertebrates, and fishes are being incorporated into the newly developed Ecuadorian DNA database. We also focus on building and strengthening the capacities of staff and students (Ecuadorian as well as Belgian) through theses, practical courses, field work, trainings and internships.
Christine Van der Heyden; Lenin Riascos; Andrea Carrera-Gonzalez; Katherine Elizabeth Apunte Ramos; Marcela Carbrera; Rodrigo Espinosa; Pieter Boets; Tom Moens; Wim Vanden Berghe; Erik Verbruggen; Filip Volckaert; Francisco Villamarin; Peter Goethals; Julio Bonilla; Mauricio Ortega; Jorge Celi. DNA-based monitoring for assessing the effect of invasive species on aquatic communities in the Amazon basin of Ecuador. ARPHA Conference Abstracts 2021, 4, e65376 .
AMA StyleChristine Van der Heyden, Lenin Riascos, Andrea Carrera-Gonzalez, Katherine Elizabeth Apunte Ramos, Marcela Carbrera, Rodrigo Espinosa, Pieter Boets, Tom Moens, Wim Vanden Berghe, Erik Verbruggen, Filip Volckaert, Francisco Villamarin, Peter Goethals, Julio Bonilla, Mauricio Ortega, Jorge Celi. DNA-based monitoring for assessing the effect of invasive species on aquatic communities in the Amazon basin of Ecuador. ARPHA Conference Abstracts. 2021; 4 ():e65376.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChristine Van der Heyden; Lenin Riascos; Andrea Carrera-Gonzalez; Katherine Elizabeth Apunte Ramos; Marcela Carbrera; Rodrigo Espinosa; Pieter Boets; Tom Moens; Wim Vanden Berghe; Erik Verbruggen; Filip Volckaert; Francisco Villamarin; Peter Goethals; Julio Bonilla; Mauricio Ortega; Jorge Celi. 2021. "DNA-based monitoring for assessing the effect of invasive species on aquatic communities in the Amazon basin of Ecuador." ARPHA Conference Abstracts 4, no. : e65376.
The Guayas River basin is one of the most important water resources in Ecuador, but the expansion of human activities has led to a degraded water quality. The purpose of this study was (1) to explore the importance of physical-chemical variables in structuring the macroinvertebrate communities and (2) to determine if the thresholds in stream velocity related to macroinvertebrate community composition could be identified in the Guayas River basin. Thus, macroinvertebrates and physical–chemical water quality variables were sampled at 120 locations during the dry season of 2013 in the Guayas River basin. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was performed to identify relevant physical–chemical characteristics of the river influencing the distribution of the macroinvertebrate communities. Threshold indicator taxa analysis (TITAN) was used to discriminate between the macroinvertebrate community related to stagnant waters (Daule–Peripa reservoir) and to running waters. CCA indicates that the most important environmental factors influencing the distribution of macroinvertebrate communities were stream velocity, chlorophyll concentration, conductivity, temperature and elevation. Tipping points for the macroinvertebrate community were defined by stream velocity at 0.03 m/s and 0.4 m/s, i.e., stagnant-water (including dam-related reservoirs) taxa start to quickly decrease in abundance and frequency at 0.03 m/s while running-water taxa start to quickly increase in abundance and frequency at 0.03 m/s until a stream velocity of 0.4 m/s. The results provide essential information to define environmental flows to further support water management plans of the Guayas River basin. Information obtained will be useful for management of similar rivers in South America, as well as the rest of the world.
Thi Hanh Tien Nguyen; Marie Anne Eurie Forio; Pieter Boets; Koen Lock; Minar Naomi Damanik Ambarita; Natalija Suhareva; Gert Everaert; Christine Van Der Heyden; Luis Elvin Dominguez-Granda; Thu Huong Thi Hoang; Peter Goethals. Threshold Responses of Macroinvertebrate Communities to Stream Velocity in Relation to Hydropower Dam: A Case Study from The Guayas River Basin (Ecuador). Water 2018, 10, 1195 .
AMA StyleThi Hanh Tien Nguyen, Marie Anne Eurie Forio, Pieter Boets, Koen Lock, Minar Naomi Damanik Ambarita, Natalija Suhareva, Gert Everaert, Christine Van Der Heyden, Luis Elvin Dominguez-Granda, Thu Huong Thi Hoang, Peter Goethals. Threshold Responses of Macroinvertebrate Communities to Stream Velocity in Relation to Hydropower Dam: A Case Study from The Guayas River Basin (Ecuador). Water. 2018; 10 (9):1195.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThi Hanh Tien Nguyen; Marie Anne Eurie Forio; Pieter Boets; Koen Lock; Minar Naomi Damanik Ambarita; Natalija Suhareva; Gert Everaert; Christine Van Der Heyden; Luis Elvin Dominguez-Granda; Thu Huong Thi Hoang; Peter Goethals. 2018. "Threshold Responses of Macroinvertebrate Communities to Stream Velocity in Relation to Hydropower Dam: A Case Study from The Guayas River Basin (Ecuador)." Water 10, no. 9: 1195.
Lenin Riascos; A.N. Geerts; T. Oña; P. Goethals; J. Cevallos-Cevallos; W. Vanden Berghe; F.A.M. Volckaert; J. Bonilla; K. Muylaert; E. Velarde; P. Boets; Christine Van der Heyden. DNA-based monitoring of the alien invasive North American crayfish Procambarus clarkii in Andean lakes (Ecuador). Limnologica 2018, 70, 20 -25.
AMA StyleLenin Riascos, A.N. Geerts, T. Oña, P. Goethals, J. Cevallos-Cevallos, W. Vanden Berghe, F.A.M. Volckaert, J. Bonilla, K. Muylaert, E. Velarde, P. Boets, Christine Van der Heyden. DNA-based monitoring of the alien invasive North American crayfish Procambarus clarkii in Andean lakes (Ecuador). Limnologica. 2018; 70 ():20-25.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLenin Riascos; A.N. Geerts; T. Oña; P. Goethals; J. Cevallos-Cevallos; W. Vanden Berghe; F.A.M. Volckaert; J. Bonilla; K. Muylaert; E. Velarde; P. Boets; Christine Van der Heyden. 2018. "DNA-based monitoring of the alien invasive North American crayfish Procambarus clarkii in Andean lakes (Ecuador)." Limnologica 70, no. : 20-25.
Aurora N. Geerts; Pieter Boets; Stef Van Den Heede; Peter Goethals; Christine Van der Heyden. A search for standardized protocols to detect alien invasive crayfish based on environmental DNA (eDNA): A lab and field evaluation. Ecological Indicators 2018, 84, 564 -572.
AMA StyleAurora N. Geerts, Pieter Boets, Stef Van Den Heede, Peter Goethals, Christine Van der Heyden. A search for standardized protocols to detect alien invasive crayfish based on environmental DNA (eDNA): A lab and field evaluation. Ecological Indicators. 2018; 84 ():564-572.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAurora N. Geerts; Pieter Boets; Stef Van Den Heede; Peter Goethals; Christine Van der Heyden. 2018. "A search for standardized protocols to detect alien invasive crayfish based on environmental DNA (eDNA): A lab and field evaluation." Ecological Indicators 84, no. : 564-572.