We analyzed the diversity and richness of lotic Chironomidae by collecting pupal exuviae. Drift nets and hand nets were used in a 100 m section in each stream in the dry season (August/2001). We analyzed and identified 1264 pupal exuviae belonging to 61 taxa (36 taxa in Fazzari stream and 31 in Monjolinho river section). Both systems showed low faunistic similarity reflecting the different characteristics of the substrate, canopy and water of each stream. Probably the highest richness and the presence of mining taxa like Stenochironomus spp., Xenochironomus spp. and Endotribelos spp. reflect the presence of the riparian forest in Fazzari stream, which contribute to habitat heterogeneity and food resource to these groups. The collection of pupal exuviae proved to be very efficient for characterizing the biodiversity of low order lotic systems.
Aquatic insects; Chironomidae pupal exuviae; lotic systems
