The effects of salinity on the ecology of a coastal temporary pond (Data)

Temporary waters are relatively understudied environments, particularly
within the Caribbean. Regionally understudied as well are the insect fauna
associated with coastal environments. The present study sought to identify
factors affecting the salinity of a coastal temporary pond and the
subsequent ecological interactions. When water was present, the aquatic
physical and chemical properties were recorded, and macroinvertebrate
fauna were collected. Soil and water were collected for analyses and
associations between the aquatic environment and fauna detailed. Fauna
collected overall represented 6 orders, 11 families, 14 genera and 18
species throughout 4 salinity phases, ranging from freshwater to
hypersaline. The hypersaline phase was distinct from other phases, notably
in salinity (maximum 78 parts per thousand) and water temperature (maximum
41°C). In general, species richness and number of functional feeding
groups were lower at higher salinities. The brackish phase however, had
greater species richness and more functional feeding groups than the
freshwater phase. This was explained in part by the elimination of
notonectid predators in the brackish phase, which facilitated the
establishment of several culicid species within the pond. The
salt-tolerant corixid Trichocorixa reticulata was found dominating the
pond in the saline phase and was the only species alive in the hypersaline
phase. This salinity of the pond was determined by both tides and
rainfall, changing aquatic conditions accordingly. As salinity increased,
beyond the brackish phase macroinvertebrate species richness decreased. A
change in species richness saw a change in community composition and
functional feeding diversity within a coastal temporary pond dominated by
insects.