Altitudinal distribution of the functional feeding groups of aquatic macroinvertebrates using an ecological network in Andean streams

Introduction: Analysis of functional feeding groups (FFG) in aquatic macroinvertebrates is important understanding the structure, function, and dynamics ecological processes ecosystems. Modularity refers to degree compartmentalization food webs varies between -1 1. A network with a modularity value close 1 resilient disturbances can be interpreted as an indicating factor for stability communities. Objective: In this study, we analyzed trophic structure benthic La Nitrera stream, San Juan River, Cauca River. Methods: The study was supported by networking techniques using Gephi software. We studied nine sites dry, rainy, transition seasons 2017 2018, monitoring changes altitude gradient. At each sites, organisms were captured determined, physicochemical hydraulic information obtained. Results: variance component analysis allowed explain variability data relating following environmental variables: FFG, diversity, richness, modularity, season, time. Simple multifactorial ANOVA indicated that significant FFG associated altitude, allocation done stomach secondary information. Conclusion: season had highest possibly due recolonization some biotopes caused decrease riverbed velocity. presented higher values than Cauca, which may indicate altitudinal change velocity water currents affects network.