macroinvertebrates little creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

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Macroinvertebrat Macroinvertebrat es es Little Creatures that Little Creatures that tell us tell us the health of our natural the health of our natural waterways waterways

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Page 1: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

MacroinvertebratMacroinvertebrateses

Little Creatures that tell us Little Creatures that tell us

the health of our natural the health of our natural waterwayswaterways

Page 2: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

What are Benthic What are Benthic Macroinvertebrates?Macroinvertebrates?

Benthic = bottom dwellingBenthic = bottom dwelling Macro = large enough to be Macro = large enough to be

seen without aid of a seen without aid of a microscopemicroscope

Invertebrate = without a Invertebrate = without a backbonebackbone

Commonly called: “macros”Commonly called: “macros” Found in Fresh Water StreamsFound in Fresh Water Streams Eat leaves & algae in streamEat leaves & algae in stream Source of Energy for larger Source of Energy for larger

animalsanimals

Page 3: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Kinds of Kinds of MacroinvertebratesMacroinvertebrates

Mayfly, caddisfly, stone fly larvaMayfly, caddisfly, stone fly larva WormsWorms Water beetlesWater beetles Clams Clams SnailsSnails CrayfishCrayfish

Page 4: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Why Study Macros?Why Study Macros? Macros are COOL! (collectible, Macros are COOL! (collectible,

observable, omnipresent, & learnable)observable, omnipresent, & learnable) Macroinvertebrates are an essential Macroinvertebrates are an essential

component of freshwater ecosystemscomponent of freshwater ecosystems They serve as food for other They serve as food for other

organisms organisms Are essential to the breakdown and Are essential to the breakdown and

cycling of organic matter and nutrientscycling of organic matter and nutrients Macros can be used as bio-indicators Macros can be used as bio-indicators

of water qualityof water quality they have different tolerances to they have different tolerances to

pollutionpollution some are sensitive; others are some are sensitive; others are

toleranttolerant

Page 5: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

IndicatorIndicator Species Species

They They indicateindicate to scientists when to scientists when there is a problem in nature- there is a problem in nature- specifically the stream environmentspecifically the stream environment

What might be a problem in the What might be a problem in the stream that is stream that is indicatedindicated by Macros? by Macros?

Page 6: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

One Way to categorize Macros is One Way to categorize Macros is by how they EATby how they EAT

ShreddersShredders: Chew on intact or large pieces of plant : Chew on intact or large pieces of plant materialmaterial

CollectorsCollectors:: Acquire and ingest very small particles Acquire and ingest very small particles (<1 mm) of detritus(<1 mm) of detritus

PiercersPiercers: : Mouthpartsprotrude as modifications to Mouthpartsprotrude as modifications to puncture food and bring out the fluids contained puncture food and bring out the fluids contained insideinside

Srapers/GrazersSrapers/Grazers: : RRemove and consume the thin layer of algae emove and consume the thin layer of algae and bacteria that grows tightly attached to solid substrates in shallow and bacteria that grows tightly attached to solid substrates in shallow waterswaters

PredatorsPredators: : Feed upon living animals,either by swallowing the entire Feed upon living animals,either by swallowing the entire body of small prey or by tearing large prey into pieces that are small body of small prey or by tearing large prey into pieces that are small enough to consumeenough to consume

Page 7: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

How we will group How we will group MacrosMacros

Pollution Sensitive- need clean waterPollution Sensitive- need clean water

Moderately Sensitive- tolerant to Moderately Sensitive- tolerant to some pollutionsome pollution

Pollution Tolerant- can survive with Pollution Tolerant- can survive with poor water quality poor water quality

Page 8: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

What do What do Macroinvertebrates tell Macroinvertebrates tell

Scientists about a Stream?Scientists about a Stream? Abundant and diverse macroinvertebrates Abundant and diverse macroinvertebrates

tell scientists a stream is healthytell scientists a stream is healthy More group 2 macros tell scientists the More group 2 macros tell scientists the

water quality may be decreasingwater quality may be decreasing Group 3 macroinvertebrates that only Group 3 macroinvertebrates that only

survive in poor water, tells scientists that survive in poor water, tells scientists that the water quality is poor and needs helpthe water quality is poor and needs help

Page 9: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Group One MacrosGroup One Macros

Different kinds of stoneflies, Different kinds of stoneflies, mayflies, and Megaloptera tell a mayflies, and Megaloptera tell a scientist the stream is healthy. scientist the stream is healthy.

Page 10: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Stoneflies (Order Plecoptera)Stoneflies (Order Plecoptera)

Thorax divided into 3 Thorax divided into 3 partsparts Pair of legs for each Pair of legs for each

partpart 2 claws at end of each 2 claws at end of each

legleg OnlyOnly 2 tails 2 tails Gills Gills maymay be visible on be visible on

thorax (“hairy armpits”) thorax (“hairy armpits”) or under neckor under neck

Shredders and predatorsShredders and predators Mostly sensitive to Mostly sensitive to

pollutionpollution

2 tails

abdomen

thorax

head

3 plates

sometimes gills visible on thorax

2 claws

adult

Page 11: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Mayflies (Order Mayflies (Order Ephemeroptera)Ephemeroptera)

Six legs attached to Six legs attached to thoraxthorax

Thorax does not appear Thorax does not appear divideddivided

Gills along the abdomen Gills along the abdomen 2 or 3 tails 2 or 3 tails 1 pair wing pads, if 1 pair wing pads, if

presentpresent Generally collector Generally collector

gatherers and gatherers and shreddersshredders

Sensitive or moderately Sensitive or moderately tolerant of pollution tolerant of pollution

head

thorax

abdomen

2 plates

gills

tails orcerci

adult

Page 12: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

WATER PENNYWATER PENNY

Measures 1/4 inch in length Flat disk-like body Head and legs concealed from above 6 legs and branched gills on underside Prefers cold running water Water pennies prefer cold, fast-moving

streams. Their smooth, flattened bodies enable them to resist the pull of the current.

Water pennies are usually found on smooth rocks where they graze on attached algae

Sensitive to pollution

Page 13: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Caddisflies (Order Caddisflies (Order Trichoptera)Trichoptera) 6 legs attached to thorax6 legs attached to thorax

Fleshy abdomen; some with Fleshy abdomen; some with hair-like gillshair-like gills

Prolegs with hooks at end of Prolegs with hooks at end of abdomen; some with hair-like abdomen; some with hair-like tufts tufts

Some build cases from rocks Some build cases from rocks and/or plant material (case-and/or plant material (case-makers)makers)

Some spin nets as a retreat Some spin nets as a retreat and to collect detritus and to collect detritus (netspinners)(netspinners)

Some crawl around in search Some crawl around in search of prey (free-living)of prey (free-living)

Sensitive or moderately Sensitive or moderately sensitive to pollutionsensitive to pollution

headthorax

abdomen

abdominal gills (Netspinner)

prolegs with hooks

netspinnerlarva

casemakeradult pupa

Page 14: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Dobsonflies & AlderfliesDobsonflies & Alderflies(Order Megaloptera)(Order Megaloptera)

AlderfliesAlderflies Large gill filaments along Large gill filaments along

abdomenabdomen Abdomen ends with single, Abdomen ends with single,

long, pointed tail filamentlong, pointed tail filament More tolerant of pollution More tolerant of pollution

than dobsonfliesthan dobsonflies Dobsonflies Dobsonflies

Stout, flexible filaments, Stout, flexible filaments, extend from abdomenextend from abdomen

Long, somewhat flattened Long, somewhat flattened bodybody

2 prolegs at the end, with two 2 prolegs at the end, with two claws on each prolegclaws on each proleg

Sensitive to pollutionSensitive to pollution

alderfly

dobsonfly

Page 15: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Group 2 MacrosGroup 2 Macros

Group 2 Macros are found in moderatel Group 2 Macros are found in moderatel healthy streamshealthy streams

The number of different macroinvertebrates The number of different macroinvertebrates becomes less as pollution rises becomes less as pollution rises

Soft-bodied worms and fly larva also Soft-bodied worms and fly larva also increaseincrease

Page 16: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Dragonflies & Damselflies Dragonflies & Damselflies (Order Odonata)(Order Odonata)

DragonfliesDragonflies Large abdomen tapers to Large abdomen tapers to

point(s), but no tailpoint(s), but no tail Internal gills are not visibleInternal gills are not visible

Damselflies Damselflies Narrow abdomen ends with Narrow abdomen ends with

3 paddle-like gills3 paddle-like gills Dragonflies & DamselfliesDragonflies & Damselflies

PredatorsPredators Extendable, hinged jaw Extendable, hinged jaw

captures preycaptures prey Somewhat tolerantSomewhat tolerant

gills

dragonflies

damselfly

Page 17: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Craneflies (Order Craneflies (Order Diptera)Diptera)

Long, fleshy abdomenLong, fleshy abdomen Head often withdrawn & Head often withdrawn &

concealed by thoraxconcealed by thorax Some have pairs of Some have pairs of

prolegs beneath prolegs beneath abdomenabdomen

Somewhat tolerant Somewhat tolerant (other Diptera are more (other Diptera are more tolerant)tolerant)

Some are shedders, Some are shedders, others predatorsothers predators

prolegs

head

pupa

Page 18: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Water Boatman & Water Boatman & Backswimmer (Order Backswimmer (Order

Hemiptera)Hemiptera) Water StriderWater Strider ““Skates” around on top of waterSkates” around on top of water Front legs grab & beak pierces Front legs grab & beak pierces

preyprey Water BoatmanWater Boatman

Oval body with wavy lines Oval body with wavy lines across a dark colored backacross a dark colored back

Oar-like legsOar-like legs Backswimmer Backswimmer

Similar to boatman; swims upside Similar to boatman; swims upside downdown

Dark underside & light-colored Dark underside & light-colored backback

CAUTION -- can bite!CAUTION -- can bite!

water strider

water boatman

backswimmer

Page 19: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Group 3 MacrosGroup 3 Macros

Group 3 Macros are found in Group 3 Macros are found in streams with poor water qualitystreams with poor water quality

Stoneflies are not present at allStoneflies are not present at all A few mayflies and caddisflies- A few mayflies and caddisflies-

maybe theremaybe there Most found are soft-bodied animals: Most found are soft-bodied animals:

fly larvae, leeches and planaria fly larvae, leeches and planaria (round worm, tape worm).(round worm, tape worm).

Page 20: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Midges (Order Diptera)Midges (Order Diptera)

Worm-like, but Worm-like, but with definite head with definite head and prolegs and prolegs (usually)(usually)

““Twitchy” Twitchy” swimmersswimmers

Pollution tolerantPollution tolerant

head prolegs

pupa

Page 21: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Blackflies (Order Blackflies (Order Diptera)Diptera)

Shaped like bowling Shaped like bowling pin pin

Two fans on top of Two fans on top of head for filteringhead for filtering

Attaches to substrate Attaches to substrate with ring of hooks at with ring of hooks at end of abdomenend of abdomen

Single proleg Single proleg beneath headbeneath head

Tolerant of pollutionTolerant of pollution

pupa

fan

Page 22: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Worms and Worms and LeechesLeeches

• flat, segmented body• head section usually skinnier than rear• body shape can change with movement• ventral side is usually paler in color• ventral suckers on both ends• sometimes attach to and feed off other

organisms

• body is soft, moderately muscular, elongate and cylindrical• body consists of round, ring-like segments arranged in a row• each segment after the first has bundles of tiny hairs

Incomplete MetamorphosisIncomplete Metamorphosis

Page 23: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Planaria- FlatwormPlanaria- Flatworm

Page 24: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

LEECH

Measures 1.0 mm to 5.0 cm in length. Typically dorsoventrally flattened. Leeches are common in warm protected

waters of lakes, ponds, streams, and marshes.

Leeches usually avoid light by hiding under rocks or among aquatic vegetation or detritus.

Silty substrates are unsuitable for leeches because they cannot attach properly.

34 Segments

Suckers on both ends

Page 25: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Macroinvertebrate Macroinvertebrate means…means…

1.1. Small creature Small creature that you need a that you need a microscope to seemicroscope to see

2.2. Small creature Small creature that you can see that you can see without a without a microscopemicroscope

3.3. Small creature Small creature that lives on landthat lives on land

Page 26: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Benthic means…Benthic means…

1.1. Living at the bottom of a streamLiving at the bottom of a stream

2.2. Living on land, near a streamLiving on land, near a stream

3.3. Living by floating in a streamLiving by floating in a stream

Page 27: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Macroinvertebrates tell if a Macroinvertebrates tell if a stream is healthy or not.stream is healthy or not.

1.1. TrueTrue

2.2. FalseFalse

3.3. UnsureUnsure

Page 28: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

A sample of a A sample of a Macroinvertebrate is…Macroinvertebrate is…

1.1. Small birdSmall bird

2.2. Mayfly larvaMayfly larva

3.3. Butterfly larvaButterfly larva

4.4. TurtleTurtle

Page 29: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Macroinvertebrates that Macroinvertebrates that tell if water is clean need tell if water is clean need only a little bit of oxygenonly a little bit of oxygen

1.1. TrueTrue

2.2. FalseFalse

Page 30: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Macroinvertebrates that Macroinvertebrates that survive in low oxygen water survive in low oxygen water

tell scientiststell scientists1.1. The water is pollutedThe water is polluted

2.2. The water is cleanThe water is clean

3.3. That it is waterThat it is water

Page 31: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Large amounts of caddisfly Large amounts of caddisfly larva, mayfly larva, and larva, mayfly larva, and stone fly larva are found stone fly larva are found in…in…

1.1. Polluted waterPolluted water

2.2. Moderately Moderately clean waterclean water

3.3. Healthy, good Healthy, good quality waterquality water

Page 32: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Smaller amounts of Smaller amounts of caddisfly, mayfly and stone caddisfly, mayfly and stone fly larva, along with some fly larva, along with some worms are in this type of worms are in this type of waterwater

1.1. Polluted waterPolluted water

2.2. Moderately Moderately clean waterclean water

3.3. Healthy, good Healthy, good quality waterquality water

Page 33: Macroinvertebrates Little Creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways

Stoneflies are not present Stoneflies are not present at all, more leeches, and fly at all, more leeches, and fly larvae are found in this larvae are found in this streamstream

1.1. Polluted Polluted waterwater

2.2. Moderately Moderately clean waterclean water

3.3. Healthy, Healthy, good quality good quality waterwater