https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Index en-us 5 https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72148 Wed 10 Jul 2024 08:48:37 SAST ]]> https://commons.ru.ac.za/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:72128 10 – 20 mm) and large (20 > 40) body size, flat body, collector-gatherers, free-living, and predators. The late colonisers, collected mainly on day 150 and 180 were dominated by taxa with a preference for high flow velocity (0.3 - 0.6 m/s), permanent attachment, and filter-feeding mode. Traits such as oval and flat body shape, medium body size (>10 - 20 mm), skating and clinging/climbing mobility, temporal attachment, shredders, predators, prey, and plastron and spiracle respiration showed positive correlation with the 100% macroplastic substrates. Filter feeding, crawling, permanent attachment, a preference for fast velocity (0.3-0.6 m/s), and coarse particle organic matter were positively correlated with the 50% macroplastic substrates. Overall, the results provided critical insights on the impact of macroplastics on the assemblage structure of biological communities by acting as suitable habitats in stream ecosystems. The study elucidated the role of traits of aquatic organisms in mediating the colonisation of plastics substrates, providing insights into the impact of plastics proliferation on riverine ecosystem functioning. Furthermore, the finding provides a baseline insight into the influence of hydraulic biotopes on the colonisation and establishment of macroinvertebrates on macroplastic acting as artificial riverine habitat.]]> Sun 07 Jul 2024 19:38:53 SAST ]]>