THE STUDY OF THE MACROFAUNA OF BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES OF THE SHARR MOUNTAIN LAKES IN THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA

Gazmend ISENI, Ajten RUSHITI- DAUTI, Xhezair ABDIJA, Valentina SLAVEVSKA- STAMENKOVIC, Jelena HINIC- JORDANOVSKA, Besa ISENI

Abstract

Aquatic ecosystems belong to the most sensitive group of living environments, which are under the great influence of the anthropogenic factor, and precisely for this reason, research and determination of the diversity of animal species are quite important in these lentic ecosystems (lakes).In addition to abiotic indicators (physicochemical conditions), the state of each aquatic ecosystem is monitored through certain types or groups of so-called bioindicators. The research of aquatic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs is not only of scientific importance but is also for the management and conservation of aquatic ecosystems. Our research carried out in the two mountain lakes of Sharr during the summer (July 2022/23) and autumn (October 2022/23), resulted in the identification of three zoological groups (Annelida, Mollusca, Hexapoda) of benthic macroinvertebrates. From a total of 36 individuals collected from the upper lake of Karanikolla, 6 families of benthic macroinvertebrates from the Mollusca and Hexapoda groups were identified. The family Physidae was represented by 28%, the family Gyrinidae by 22%, the family Corixidae by 17%, the family Simuliidae by 14%, the family Limnephiliidae by 11%, and the family Gerridae by 8%. From Lake Bogovina, 8 families of benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to the groups Annelida, Mollusca, and Hexapoda were identified from the 31 individuals collected. The family Glossiphoniidae was represented by 22%, the family Gyrinidae by 19%, the family Lumbricidae by 17%, the family Corixidae by 11%, the family Simuliidae by 8%, the family Nemouridae by 6% and the family Chironomidae by 3%. The results obtained from this study add to the knowledge of the macrofauna of aquatic invertebrates of the mountain lakes of Sharr in the territory of North Macedonia and we hope that will serve as a basis for further research.

Pages: 489 - 502