The zoobenthos associated with submerged macrophytes in littoral areas of Lake Vico (Italy): some relations between fauna structure and water quality.

The invertebrate fauna associated with submerged macrophytes in some areas of Lake Vico was analysed following the intensifica¬tion of agricultural practices in the surrounding land in the last decade. The fauna was qualitatively rich and quantitatively abundant. A total of 110 taxa were identified, widely distri¬buted over all stations and quantitatively represented mainly by Crustacea, Nematoda and Chironomidae, and secondarily by several other groups accounting for quite high percentages. The analysis of structural parameters of the community indicated a satisfacto¬ry environmental quality in the zones considered. Some signifi¬cant differences between stations pointed to the interest of qualitative and quantitative aspects of the community in the environmental monitoring of littoral lacustrine zones.