Revista de Biología Tropical ISSN: 0034-7744
[email protected] Universidad de Costa Rica Costa Rica Ramírez, Alonso; Gutiérrez-Fonseca, Pablo E. Functional feeding groups of aquatic insect families in Latin America: a critical analysis and review of existing literature Revista de Biología Tropical, vol. 62, núm. 2, abril, 2014, pp. 155-167 Universidad de Costa Rica San Pedro de Montes de Oca, Costa Rica Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=44932430011 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative Functional feeding groups of aquatic insect families in Latin America: a critical analysis and review of existing literature Alonso Ramírez1 & Pablo E. Gutiérrez-Fonseca2 1. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 190341, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00919;
[email protected] 2. Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00919;
[email protected] Received 12-XII-2013. Corrected 20-I-2014. Accepted 13-II-2014. Abstract: Aquatic macroinvertebrates are involved in numerous processes within aquatic ecosystems. They often have important effects on ecosystem processes such as primary production (via grazing), detritus break- down, and nutrient mineralization and downstream spiraling. The functional feeding groups (FFG) classification was developed as a tool to facilitate the incorporation of macroinvertebrates in studies of aquatic ecosystems. This classification has the advantage of combining morphological characteristics (e.g., mouth part specializa- tion) and behavioral mechanisms (e.g., way of feeding) used by macroinvertebrates when consuming resources.