Diversity and Spatial Distribution Pattern of Benthic Macroinvertebrates of the Cavally River (Ivory Coast, West Africa)

Diversity and specific composition of the aquatic Macroinvertebrates of the Cavally River has been studied. The study was carried out considering three sampling zones: upstream, middle stream and downstream from the Ity mine. Macroinvertebrates were collected in four sampling periods between May 2015 and February 2016 using a kick net (mesh size 250 μm)) and a van Veen been. In total 9114 individuals belonging to 115 taxa; 52 families and 16 orders have been identified. The faunistic spectrum consists mainly of insects, Crustaceans, Clitellates, Molluscs, Arachnids and Trombidiformes. Hemiptera are the most diversified. Chironomidae are the most abundant. Downstream stations have the lowest abundance and richness despite the good organization of their stand.