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Aquatic Organisms by LeAnne Yenny

Aquatic Organisms by LeAnne Yenny. Benthic Macroinvertebrates. Used as bioindicator organisms The presence or absence of these organisms in a stream can be used to reveal the overall ecological quality of the water.

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Aquatic Organisms by LeAnne Yenny

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  1. Aquatic Organismsby LeAnne Yenny

  2. BenthicMacroinvertebrates • Used as bioindicator organisms • The presence or absence of these organisms in a stream can be used to reveal the overall ecological quality of the water. • Generally, unpolluted waters support a greater variety of freshwater macros than polluted water.

  3. Life Cycles • Incomplete metamorphosis (3 stages) • Eggs to Nymph to Adult • Include mayflies, stoneflies, dragonflies, damsalflies, true bugs • Complete metamorphosis (4 stages) • Eggs to Larva to Pupa to Adult • Include flies, beetles, caddisflies, dobsonflies

  4. Functional Feeding Groups • Based on their feeding methods and adaptations • They are an important part of the food web • They are a primary link between the base of the food chain and the larger animals such as fish

  5. Shredders • The first group of macroinvertebrates to break down the detritus (leaves that have started to decompose). • Includes craneflies, some caddisflies, stoneflies, sowbugs, and scuds. • They break the detritus down into fine particles.

  6. Collectors • Drifting downstream the fine particles become food for the collectors. • They use various methods of either filtering or gathering of fine particles. Filterers use fan-like filaments near the mouth to capture food particles. • Includes some mayflies, midges, and net-spinning caddisflies.

  7. Grazers (also called Scrapers) • Feed on the algae that grow on the surface of rocks. • Includes some caddisflies, the water penny (a beetle), and certain midges and mayflies.

  8. Predators • The shredders, collectors, and grazers are a food source for the predators. • Includes dobsonfly, dragonfly. • Predators have large powerful mouth parts for grasping prey.

  9. 1. Bacteria + Leaves = Detritus (slimy leaves)2. Shredders break down leaves3. Collectors filter and gather leaf parts4. Grazers eat algae5. Predators feed on all macros

  10. Water Quality Indicators • Each macroinvertebrate belongs in a Taxa - a group indicating the level of pollution tolerance

  11. Taxa 1 • Includes: • Caddisfly (Trichoptera) • Stonefly (Plecoptera) • Water Penny • Riffle Beetle • Mayfly (Ephemeroptera) • Gilled Snail • Dobsonfly

  12. STONEFLY LARVA STONEFLY ADULT Order: Plecoptera

  13. ADULT MAYFLY MAYFLY LARVA Order: Ephemeroptera

  14. CADDISFLY LARVA ADULT CADDISFLY Order: Tricoptera

  15. Can you tell the difference? Mayfly emerger Caddis comparison Stonefly nymph

  16. Taxa 2 • Includes: • Crayfish • Sowbug • Scud • Alderfly Larva • Fishfly Larva • Damselfly • Watersnipe Fly • Crane Fly • Beetle Larva • Dragonfly • Clam

  17. Taxa 3 • Includes: • Aquatic Worm • Midge Fly Larva • Blackfly Larva • Leech • Pouch Snail • Pond Snail • Other Snails

  18. Questions?

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