Distribution of Miathyria marcella larvae (Odonata: Libellulidae) and water quality of wetlands in Northern Colombia

Abstract This study aims to assess the physicochemical characteristics regulating the distribution and abundance of M. marcella larvae in six wetlands in the northern Colombia. Standardized techniques for collecting invertebrate and physicochemical data were used in 29 sampling points in an intraannual period. Mean pH and temperature oscillated in narrow ranges within wetlands (7.7 ± 0.09–8.6 ± 0.07; 28.1 ± 0.29–32.8 ± 0.17 °C, respectively), whereas ammonium concentrations and conductivity exhibited a wide variation (0.2 ± 0.03–2.8 ± 0.54 mg NH4 L−1; 861 ± 30.7–19254 ± 1706 µS cm−1, respectively). A total of 2586 individual M. marcella larvae were collected. Abundance was greater in wetlands influenced by the Magdalena River, with 19.4 ± 1.7 and 9.3 ± 1.4 individuals; followed by wetlands hydrologically influenced by seasonal runoff, with 8.1 ± 0.4 and 6.4 ± 0.4 individuals; and lowest in wetlands with influence of the Caribbean Sea, with 3.9 ± 0.3 and 0.3 ± 0.1 individuals. Abundances of M. marcella larvae exhibited similar variations at different months during the sampling period. Abundance and distribution of M. marcella larvae in wetlands of northern Colombia is strongly dependent on water conductivity, transparency and alkalinity. This study evidence that Odonata larvae are a valuable tool as bioindicators for wetland assessment and monitoring.