Taxonomic diversity of benthic invertebrates of the Moskva River in the Moscow area: diversity and distribution

Biological diversity and distribution of benthic invertebrates in the Moskva River within the frames of Moscow are studied. Totally, 72 invertebrate taxa were found including 8 invasive species with amphipod Gmelinoides fasciatus (Stebbing, 1899), an invader from the Lake Baikal. A number of observed species are characterized with high abundance and biomass while most of observed taxa are represented by a small number of individuals. The greatest species diversity was revealed for insect larvae, mainly due to Chironomidae. The main species on the investigated section of the river are various crustaceans, mainly amphipods and decapods (when present in samples) showing more than 70-90% of all biomass of zoobenthos at all stations (sites). Multivariate cluster analysis allowed concluding that bottom communities in Moskva River, the degree of their quantitative development, species richness and diversity are mainly influenced by the structure of bottom substrates rather than other factors. The most diverse benthic communities are presented on silty bottom with mixture of shells of mollusks and plant remains. The lowest diversity of benthic communities is characteristic for sites with relatively strong water and well washed sand as the main bottom substrate. Obtained data starts annual monitoring of the river at indicated stations using biological indicators, namely native amphipod Gammarus lacustris and invasive G. fasciatus .