Seasonal Evaluation of Ephemeroptera (Insecta) Fauna of Eastern Mediterranean Basin and Determination of Water Quality With Physicochemical Parameters and Benthic Metrics

Abstract

This study evaluates the Ephemeroptera fauna and water quality in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin using physicochemical variables and benthic metrics, offering an ecological water quality analysis. Fieldwork conducted during the spring, summer and autumn of 2019 across 20 localities revealed 965 individuals belonging to 17 species from seven families. Among these, only Caenis macrura had been previously reported for the basin, whereas all other species represent new records for the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, significantly contributing to regional biodiversity knowledge. The Shannon–Wiener index showed the highest and lowest species diversity at Stations 6 (1.55) and 9 (0.15), respectively. Cluster analysis revealed 100% similarity between Stations 1, 2, 8, 10 and 19, whereas Station 18 was distinctly different. ANOSIM analyses showed significant differences in species distribution between spring and summer–autumn but none between summer and autumn. MANOVA results indicated no significant differences in temperature between spring and autumn, whereas other seasonal combinations showed notable variations. Water quality index results classified Stations 1, 9, 11, 13, 18 and 20 as moderate; Stations 7 and 8 as low; and others as good or high.

This study emphasizes the importance of ecosystem-based approaches in conserving water resources. Sensitive benthic organisms like Ephemeroptera facilitate the integration of biological and physicochemical data, aiding sustainable watershed management. This study uniquely contributes to biodiversity knowledge by providing new species records and offers a model for similar studies in other basins.