Effects of Environmental Changes on Gerromorpha (Heteroptera: Hemiptera) Communities from Amazonian Streams

The presence of environmental conditions that are suitable for the development agricultural and cattle-raising activities has favored expansion land use in Brazilian Amazon. This changes aquatic ecosystems by altering structure streambeds physicochemical water. Therefore, this manuscript aimed to assess effect along a gradient different uses on richness species composition Gerromorpha (Heteroptera: Hemiptera) communities streams from We sampled variables (physical habitat characteristics water) 45 municipality Paragominas state Pará, Brazil. then performed variation partitioning analyses relative contribution water composition. Habitat Integrity Index (HII), which measures physical structure, was best predictor richness. HII were jointly predictors Our results show respond gradients anthropization Amazon region, reinforces importance integrity quality maintenance communities.