Differential abundance, composition and mesohabitat use by aquatic macroinvertebrate taxa in ponds with and without fish

Abstract Fish are known to pose strong effects on invertebrate abundance, species richness and assemblage structure. Littoral vegetation may play a crucial role as refuge for invertebrates vulnerable fish predation. We studied relative densities taxonomic composition of water mites, aquatic beetles bugs in large lake-like ponds with different status (fish-free containing fish) mesohabitats (emergent littoral open zone). The macroinvertebrate taxa differed their responses the presence mesohabitat preferences. density mites were greater fish-containing ponds, while no differences found between open-water habitats. In contrast, far more numerous species-rich fish-free vegetation. Total non-significantly higher they preferred areas, but was independent mesohabitat. No statistical interactions individual groups habitat detected, indicating that use emergent not an antipredator response fish. assemblages three exhibited nested structures order, consistent patterns. Our research stresses importance distribution abundance insects; however, high affect or even benefit ecologically important groups, such bugs.