Abstract Worldwide, land use changes and urbanization affect habitat and biota in streams, drastically disrupting environmental conditions and biotic interactions. We evaluated the trophic ecology of the tolerant fish Corydoras paleatus in a prairie stream with contrasting environmental conditions intimately aligned with different nearby land uses. Gut analyses was conducted at three stream reaches with contrasting ecological attributes regarding water quality, habitat structure and riparian condition. A total of 231 guts were analyzed and 15 prey items identified. A significant variation in composition and structure of the dietary assemblage, niche breadth and feeding patterns of C. paleatus under different environmental conditions was observed. Psychodidae prevailed in most deteriorated environmental conditions and Chironomidae, followed by nematodes, in stream reaches where environmental conditions improved. Maximum niche breadth and a larger proportion of generalist individuals were found at the most deteriorated site. Conversely, the proportions of specialized individuals were slightly higher at sites with better ecological conditions. Psychodidae and mineral fragments were positively correlated with the most detrimental conditions, while filamentous algae prevailed where these conditions improved. Overall, good evidence suggesting that trophic ecology of a tolerant species is affected by local environmental conditions in water quality, habitat structure and riparian corridor was observed.

We studied the community of aquatic insects inhabiting both temporary pools and permanent ponds occuring in Buenos Aires City. A total of 3436 rain pools were examined, and six permanent ponds at the "Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur" in the Río de la Plata riverside were visited 149 times. A total of 85 taxa were recorded from both habitats, included in five orders of Insecta. The order Coleoptera showed the highest diversity values (36 taxa), followed by Diptera (27), Heteroptera (17), Odonata (4), and Ephemeroptera (1). High values of richness were observed in temporary pools (58 taxa) and permanent ponds without floating vegetation (64 taxa). The diversity index for temporary ponds was significantly (p<0,05) lower than in permanent habitats.

Se realizó un estudio comparativo de la comunidad de insectos acuáticos presente en charcos temporarios de parques y plazas de la ciudad de Buenos Aires, y en lagunas permanentes de la Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, situada en la ribera del Río de la Plata. Se revisaron 3436 charcos y se visitaron, en 149 oportunidades, seis lagunas de la reserva. Para el conjunto de ambientes, se registraron 85 taxones pertenecientes a cinco órdenes de insectos. Los coleópteros fueron los más diversos (36 taxones), seguidos por los dípteros (27), heterópteros (17), odonatos (4) y efemerópteros (1). Se observaron altos valores de riqueza en los charcos temporarios (58 taxones) y las lagunas sin vegetación flotante (64 taxones). La diversidad estimada de los charcos temporarios fue significativamente (p<0,05) menor que la de los ambientes permanentes.