The richness and spatial distribution of aquatic macroinvertebrates were studied in streams from a cerrado region, Assis, State of São Paulo, with the purpose of verifying the effect of the anthropic action on the fauna. The collections took place at the headwaters of the Ribeirão Água do Cervo (the main water supplier of the city of Assis). Nine collection stations were established in which ten standardized pebble packages were placed (equivalent volume, 300 cm³ each). After twenty-five days of exposure, the packages were removed from the stream. The macroinvertebrates associated to each of the pebble packages were removed and identified. The results showed a smaller richness in the most damaged station. There was not significant relation between the physicochemical factors and the fauna. The intensity of anthropic action was significantly related with the fauna.
Organic pollution; aquatic insects; lotic ecosystems
