The Biodiversity of The Biodiversity of Running WatersRunning Waters

BYBY

L. Seward,T. Stockley, M. L. Seward,T. Stockley, M. Avery,Avery,

J. Tilley, N. Jackson, E. J. Tilley, N. Jackson, E. AxmannAxmann

Talk outlineTalk outline IntroductionIntroduction Natural BiotaNatural Biota InsectsInsects Invertebrates (not including Invertebrates (not including

insects)insects) PlantsPlants Mammals and other vertebratesMammals and other vertebrates

The Natural BiotaThe Natural Biota

InsectsInsects

PlecopteraPlecopteraOdonata Odonata (see opposite)(see opposite)

HemipteraHemiptera

HymenopteraHymenoptera

TricopteraTricoptera

LepidopteraLepidoptera

ColeopteraColeoptera

DipteraDiptera

EphemaopteraEphemaoptera

Megaloptera Megaloptera

Plecoptera (Stoneflies) and Plecoptera (Stoneflies) and Odonata (Dragonflies and Odonata (Dragonflies and

Damselflies)Damselflies)

Around 3000 known Around 3000 known species species (only 34 in Britain)(only 34 in Britain)

Nymphs important in Nymphs important in fish dietfish diet

Prefer running water Prefer running water with stony/gravely with stony/gravely bottomsbottoms

intolerant of pollutionintolerant of pollution adults live for only a adults live for only a

few weeksfew weeks e.g. e.g. leuctra fusca, Nemoura leuctra fusca, Nemoura

cinereacinerea

113 European species 113 European species (40 in Britain)(40 in Britain)

Two suborders Zygoptera Two suborders Zygoptera (Damselflies) and (Damselflies) and Isoptera (Dragonflies)Isoptera (Dragonflies)

Favour slow moving Favour slow moving waterwater

Isopteran Larvae Isopteran Larvae carnivorouscarnivorous

e.g. e.g. Coenagrion puella Coenagrion puella (Zygoptera) and (Zygoptera) and Anax Anax imperatorimperator (Emperor Dragonfly) (Emperor Dragonfly)

Hemiptera (true bugs) and Hemiptera (true bugs) and Hymenoptera (Bees, wasps, ants Hymenoptera (Bees, wasps, ants

etc)etc)

Can include surface living Can include surface living

bugsbugs (e.g. pondskaters, (e.g. pondskaters, gerris gerris

lacustrislacustris) ) or true water bugsor true water bugs (e.g. water boatmen (e.g. water boatmen corixa punctatacorixa punctata))

Amphibicorisae Amphibicorisae (surface living (surface living

bugs) bugs) all have fine waterproof all have fine waterproof hairs on underside, and hunt hairs on underside, and hunt by detecting vibrations on by detecting vibrations on surface filmsurface film

CryptocerataCryptocerata (true water bugs)(true water bugs) are a diverse group all with are a diverse group all with concealed antennae. Most concealed antennae. Most are predatory and can bite, If are predatory and can bite, If caught. caught.

This order lives at This order lives at water edge with few water edge with few ‘water species’.‘water species’.

split into two main split into two main groups -symphyta groups -symphyta ((sawflies,no waist) sawflies,no waist) --Apocrita Apocrita (bees, ant and (bees, ant and wasps, narrow waist)wasps, narrow waist)

Pondskater

Tricoptera (caddis flies) andTricoptera (caddis flies) andLepidoptera (butterflies and moths)Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths)

Only holometabolic group Only holometabolic group where young stages are where young stages are aquaticaquatic

over 6000 species (190 over 6000 species (190 British)British)

Most adults don’t feed, with Most adults don’t feed, with a long larval stage.a long larval stage.

Larvae built characteristic Larvae built characteristic cases, or silk netscases, or silk nets

Can be split into Can be split into butterflies (posses butterflies (posses clubbed antennae) and clubbed antennae) and mothsmoths

lepidoptera means ‘scaly lepidoptera means ‘scaly wings’wings’

Flower pollinatorsFlower pollinators both larvae and adult both larvae and adult

feed on rich vegetation at feed on rich vegetation at river banks.river banks.

Adult Caddis fly

Coleoptera (beetles) Coleoptera (beetles) andand

Diptera (true flies) Diptera (true flies)

6 main aquatic families6 main aquatic families range from free range from free

swimming whirligigsswimming whirligigs ((gyrinus natorgyrinus nator), ), to bottom to bottom dwelling algal feeding dwelling algal feeding haliplidae haliplidae ((haliplus fulvushaliplus fulvus))

over 140 British water over 140 British water beetle speciesbeetle species

Dipteran larvae Dipteran larvae important as predators, important as predators, collectors, shredders, collectors, shredders, scrapers and even some scrapers and even some parasitesparasites

adults often breed near adults often breed near freshwaterfreshwater

often seen in mating often seen in mating swarms around over riverswarms around over river

Great Diving Beetle

Ephemaoptera (mayflies)Ephemaoptera (mayflies) and Megaloptera (alderflies) and Megaloptera (alderflies)

Distinguishable by short Distinguishable by short antannae, delicate wings antannae, delicate wings and 2-3 long tailsand 2-3 long tails

usually found in vicinity of usually found in vicinity of waterwater

important in fish dietimportant in fish diet adults don’t feed, and in adults don’t feed, and in

many species live less than many species live less than a daya day

3 types of nymphs -3 types of nymphs -Ephemera, Ecdyonurus and Ephemera, Ecdyonurus and Ephemerella, all adapted Ephemerella, all adapted brilliantly to ecological brilliantly to ecological nichesniches

From order neuropteraFrom order neuroptera in aquatic larvae in aquatic larvae

appendages are reduced appendages are reduced and form feathery gillsand form feathery gills

larvae and adults are larvae and adults are carnivorous with biting carnivorous with biting mouthpartsmouthparts

Invertebrate diversity Invertebrate diversity (excluding insects)(excluding insects)

Major freshwater Major freshwater groupsgroups– zooplanktonzooplankton– RotiferaRotifera– Hydra (Cnidaria) Hydra (Cnidaria) – AnnelidaAnnelida– CrustaceaCrustacea– MolluscaMollusca

Minor groupsMinor groups– Planariidae Planariidae

(Platyhelminthes)(Platyhelminthes)– Porifera (sponges)Porifera (sponges)– NematodaNematoda

From Z to MFrom Z to M

Zooplankton includesZooplankton includes– RotiferaRotifera– CladoceraCladocera– CopepodaCopepoda– ostracod and mysid crustaceansostracod and mysid crustaceans– water mites (Hydracarina/Arachnida)water mites (Hydracarina/Arachnida)– larval molluscslarval molluscs– TardigradaTardigrada

Phyla Rotifera and CnidariaPhyla Rotifera and Cnidaria

1,800 known species1,800 known species 94% restricted to 94% restricted to

freshwaterfreshwater mostly benthic and mostly benthic and

littorallittoral algal, filter or detritus algal, filter or detritus

feedersfeeders some are carnivorous, some are carnivorous, herbivorous or even herbivorous or even obligate parasitesobligate parasites

Class HydrozoaClass HydrozoaHydraHydra is the one is the one of the few of the few freshwater generafreshwater genera

Green Hydra

Phylum AnnelidaPhylum Annelida

15,000 sp. of segmented worms15,000 sp. of segmented worms – Hirudinea (500 sp.) Hirudinea (500 sp.)

leeches are freshwater ectoparasitesleeches are freshwater ectoparasites– Oligochaeta (3,500 sp.)Oligochaeta (3,500 sp.)

aquatic worms are bottom dwellers aquatic worms are bottom dwellers 3 or 4 families in littoral areas 3 or 4 families in littoral areas

– Polychaeta (typical annelid) Polychaeta (typical annelid) a curiosity in freshwater but 8,000 a curiosity in freshwater but 8,000 marine speciesmarine species

Subphylum CrustaceaSubphylum Crustacea

(most of the 40,000 sp. (most of the 40,000 sp. are marine)are marine)

Class Copepoda Class Copepoda (>10,000 sp.)(>10,000 sp.) 5 freshwater orders5 freshwater orders

Class Ostracoda Class Ostracoda tiny bivalved bottom tiny bivalved bottom dwellersdwellers

Order Podocopa is the Order Podocopa is the only freshwater oneonly freshwater one

Class BranchiuraClass Branchiura

Class Malacostraca:Class Malacostraca:– Subclass SyncaridaSubclass Syncarida– Subclass Eucarida Subclass Eucarida

Order Decapoda Order Decapoda (crayfishes and crabs)(crayfishes and crabs)

– Subclass Peracarida:Subclass Peracarida:4 Orders (shrimps and 4 Orders (shrimps and

crayfishescrayfishes)) MysidaceaMysidacea ThermosbaenaceaThermosbaenacea IsopodaIsopoda AmphipodaAmphipoda

Phylum MolluscaPhylum Mollusca

Class BivalviaClass Bivalviaclams and mussels areclams and mussels are

typical of the river typical of the river faunafauna

Family UnionidaeFamily Unionidae Family SphaeriidaeFamily Sphaeriidae

Class Gastropoda Class Gastropoda (mostly marine)(mostly marine)

>40,000 snail and slug >40,000 snail and slug speciesspecies

– subclass subclass Prosobranchia:Prosobranchia:

3 freshwater families3 freshwater families AncylidaeAncylidae PotamopyrgidaePotamopyrgidae PleuroceridaePleuroceridae

– subclass Pulmonata:subclass Pulmonata: limpetslimpets

Factors controlling benthic Factors controlling benthic invertebratesinvertebrates

Ecological factorsEcological factors– substratum:substratum:

type of surfacetype of surface vegetationvegetation

– dissolved dissolved substances:substances:

oxygenoxygen salinitysalinity acidityacidity hardnesshardness

– food availabilityfood availability– oviposition habitsoviposition habits

– interspecific interspecific competitioncompetition

Physical factorsPhysical factors– current speedcurrent speed– temperature:temperature:

altitudealtitude seasonseason

– liability to drought liability to drought and floodsand floods

– shadeshade– proximity of suitable proximity of suitable

habitatshabitats

Aquatic plantsAquatic plants

MicrophytesMicrophytes

AlgaeAlgae Diatoms Diatoms

MacrophytesMacrophytes

BryophtesBryophtes AngiospermsAngiosperms Large Large

algaealgae(charales)(charales)

Diatoms

MicrophytesMicrophytes

Epiphytes Epiphytes EpilithicEpilithic Epilic plantsEpilic plants

No one family is No one family is entirely aquatic, entirely aquatic, so rather than so rather than classing them in classing them in families they are families they are split into 3 Types split into 3 Types of groups based of groups based on where they’re on where they’re foundfound

MacrophytesMacrophytes

Attached plantsAttached plants– Mosses and liver Mosses and liver

wordswords– Flattened LichensFlattened Lichens– Two angiosperm Two angiosperm

speciesspecies

Rooted plantsRooted plants– ReedsReeds– rushesrushes– sedges sedges – Other aquatic Other aquatic

angiospermsangiosperms– CharlaesCharlaes

Macrophytes cont..Macrophytes cont..

Floating plantsFloating plants– DuckweedDuckweed– Papyrus (tropical)Papyrus (tropical)– water Hyacinthwater Hyacinth– Floating grassFloating grass

Freshwater fishes of the Freshwater fishes of the British IslesBritish Isles

Lamprey FamilyLamprey Family Sturgeon Family Sturgeon Family

(rare)(rare) Salmon FamilySalmon Family Pike FamilyPike Family Carp FamilyCarp Family Loach FamilyLoach Family

Catfish FamilyCatfish Family Eel FamilyEel Family Perch FamilyPerch Family Bullhead FamilyBullhead Family Stickleback Stickleback

FamilyFamily

Pike

Important qualities of Important qualities of freshwater habitatsfreshwater habitats

Water velocityWater velocity Level of dissolved oxygenLevel of dissolved oxygen Summer temperaturesSummer temperatures level of chemical and biological level of chemical and biological

richnessrichness Degree of pollutionDegree of pollution

Running water in Running water in mountainous regionsmountainous regions

Hard insoluble rocksHard insoluble rocks Poor soilsPoor soils Acid waters, so they are poor in Acid waters, so they are poor in

mineralsminerals Invertebrate life is poor in speciesInvertebrate life is poor in species Salmonid fishes, Atlantic SalmonSalmonid fishes, Atlantic Salmon Brown Trout and Arctic CharrBrown Trout and Arctic Charr Only some coarse fishOnly some coarse fish

Lowland rivers and Lowland rivers and streamsstreams

Soluble mineral rich Soluble mineral rich stratastrata

Run-off from rich Run-off from rich agricultural soilsagricultural soils

High pH ‘alkaline’High pH ‘alkaline’ Biologically richBiologically rich EutrophicEutrophic Aquatic vegetation Aquatic vegetation

and invertebrate and invertebrate faunafauna

High summer High summer water water temperaturestemperatures

Coarse fish Coarse fish species e.g most species e.g most carpcarp

Many other Many other stenohaline fishesstenohaline fishes

Aquatic MammalsAquatic Mammals

Mainly live in holes in riverbank.Mainly live in holes in riverbank. Tend to be nocturnal.Tend to be nocturnal.

Carnivores - e.g. Otters and Mink Carnivores - e.g. Otters and Mink Insectivores - e.g. Water ShrewsInsectivores - e.g. Water Shrews Herbivores - e.g. Water VolesHerbivores - e.g. Water Voles

Swimming AdaptationsSwimming Adaptations

Webbed feet.Webbed feet. Bristles on tail and hind feet. (e.g. water Bristles on tail and hind feet. (e.g. water

shrew).shrew). Water-proof fur. (e.g water voles). Water-proof fur. (e.g water voles).

Insulated fur layer underneath guard Insulated fur layer underneath guard hair.hair.

Streamline body and long tail.Streamline body and long tail. Sensitive whiskers for finding food Sensitive whiskers for finding food

underwater.underwater.

FeedingFeeding

Otters: Mainly fish also crayfish, amphibians, Otters: Mainly fish also crayfish, amphibians, insects and worms. Versatile and varied diet.insects and worms. Versatile and varied diet.

Mink: Fish and waterfowl. Land mammals Mink: Fish and waterfowl. Land mammals such as rabbits during food shortages.such as rabbits during food shortages.

Water Shrew: Aquatic crustaceans and insect Water Shrew: Aquatic crustaceans and insect larvae. Terrestrial beetles and worms. Must larvae. Terrestrial beetles and worms. Must eat 50% of own body weight each day.eat 50% of own body weight each day.

Water Vole: Mainly vegetarian, feeds on bank-Water Vole: Mainly vegetarian, feeds on bank-side vegetation.side vegetation.

Anything else!Anything else!

There are a large number of lizards and amphibians that also play a role in aquatic habitats. So I suppose this speaks for itself!!!!!!!!!!!!!