Aquatic macroinvertebrates as water quality indicators from river Actopan (La Gloria, El Zapotito and Jareros), of Úrsulo Galván municipality, Veracruz

Abstract

The study was made in three localities of Actopan River, Veracruz: La Gloria, El Zapotito and Jareros. From each study zone, macroinvertebrate organisms were collected in riparian vegetation, in the muddy ground and in the stones. In La Gloria zone 16 families were collected and most abundant was gastropod Lymnaeidae with 622 organisms. In Jareros zone 25 families were collected and the most abundant was gastropod Thiaridae with 381 organisms. In El Zapotito zone, only 10 families were collected and most abundant was the gastropod Lymnaeidae with 41 organisms. When BMWP index was applied, La Gloria and Jareros zones showed values up to 100 (water quality was acceptable or good); in El Zapotito zone was observed values of 46 (doubtful and polluted waters). It is important to show that more studies need to be done in Actopan river, Veracruz zone and observe benthic macroinvertebrates community changes during all seasonal stations.