Dataset: Epiphytic macroinvertebrate distribution in patches of the submerged macrophyte Ranunculus nipponicus var. submersus in a spring-fed river, Japan

This dataset provides epiphytic macroinvertebrate community data collected from 10 patches of the submerged macrophyte Ranunculus nipponicus var. submersus in the spring-fed Nishibetsu River, Hokkaido, Japan. The field survey was conducted in May 2024 and a total of 3,564 individuals belonging to 15 taxa were collected. Sampling was conducted at upstream, middle, lateral (right and left), and downstream parts of each patch to examine intra-patch distribution of macroinvertebrates. The sampler volume was 285 cm³ (see Otsuka & Kikuchi, 2026, Hydrobiologia). The dataset includes taxonomic richness (number of taxa), abundance of each taxonomic group, total density (abundance / macrophyte dry weight, DW), density of each functional feeding group (FFG), and density of each habit trait. Environmental variables include macrophyte dry weight (g) and water depth to shoots (cm) measured at each sampling location.