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Published on: October 20, 2019
Ephemeroptera Along Altitudinal Gradients: a Scientometric Review
Caio Fernando Dotto1,2, Renato T Martins3, Lívia Maria Fusari1
1Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Aquatic Entomology Laboratory (LEA), Department of Hydrobiology (DHb), Rodovia Washington Luís, km 235 - SP-310, Bairro Monjolinho, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
Anais Da Academia Brasileira De Ciencias
|July 22, 2026
Summary
Altitude significantly impacts aquatic insect biodiversity. Ephemeroptera (mayflies) species richness and abundance decrease in higher elevations, confirming a general ecological pattern.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Biodiversity studies
- Aquatic entomology
Background:
- Altitude is a critical environmental factor shaping ecological patterns and biodiversity.
- Aquatic organisms typically show declining taxonomic richness with increasing altitude.
- Previous studies on Ephemeroptera (mayflies) exhibited variability in this altitude-diversity relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize existing research on the relationship between altitude and Ephemeroptera diversity.
- To identify research gaps concerning Ephemeroptera distribution across altitudinal gradients.
- To confirm the trend of Ephemeroptera richness and abundance in relation to elevation.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature review was performed using Web of Science database.
- Search terms included "Ephemeroptera", "Mayfl*", "watercourse", and "altitude" in multiple languages.
- Data from 74 selected articles were analyzed, complemented by global aquatic insect study data.
Main Results:
- Ephemeroptera species richness, genus richness, and abundance significantly decline at higher elevations.
- Studies were predominantly located in the Palearctic and Neotropical regions.
- Most research focused on environmental factors influencing community composition, with limited studies exclusively on Ephemeroptera.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms a significant negative correlation between Ephemeroptera diversity/abundance and increasing altitude.
- Further research is needed to exclusively focus on Ephemeroptera across diverse altitudinal gradients.
- Findings highlight the vulnerability of mayfly populations to high-elevation environments.
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