Tomanova S. auteur aut IRD Tedesco Pablo A. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng Knowledge about the biology and ecology of neotropical aquatic taxa is crucial to establish general ecological rules and water protection systems. Based mainly on published data, the present work shows the following biological and ecological characteristics of Anacroneuria species (Klapalek 1909): a) the wide range of environmental conditions of rivers where Anacroneuria species occur, b) species number decreases along an increasing elevation gradient, c) body size increases in relation to the maximum altitude of occurrence, d) altitudinal range increases with body size, e) there is a constant relationship between male and female body size, and finally, 0 larger females lay larger eggs. In temperate countries, the family Perlidae in general, and the genus Anacroneuria in particular, are viewed as excellent water quality indicators. We suggest that, considering the complexity of the group's ecology in South America, it should not be automatically considered an excellent bioindicator in the Neotropical region. specialized Plecoptera Anacroneuria ecological tolerance altitudinal range body size egg size biological indexes 034 55 1 67-81 2007 0034-7744 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/PAR00001896 0034-7744 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/PAR00001896 IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2007-11-06 2017-08-23 PAR00001896 fre