CHIRONOMIDS IN WATERBODY TYPOLOGY

We analysed 75 study sites from 49 watercourses to find out whether there are indicator taxa for different altitudes and waterbody type. A total of 110 chironomid taxa from five subfamilies were identified, with Prodiamesa olivacea, Rheocricotopus fuscipes and Cricotopus bicinctus being the most frequent species. The lowest number of taxa was found in communities collected in watercourses at altitudes up to 500 metres above sea level, while the highest values were observed in small mountain rivers and streams. Using IndVal analysis, we identified indicator taxa for different altitudes and groups of taxa typical of different waterbody types.