macroinvertebrates little creatures that tell us the health of our natural waterways
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MacroinvertebratMacroinvertebrateses
Little Creatures that tell us Little Creatures that tell us
the health of our natural the health of our natural waterwayswaterways
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
Kinds of Kinds of MacroinvertebratesMacroinvertebrates
Mayfly, caddisfly, stone fly larvaMayfly, caddisfly, stone fly larva WormsWorms Water beetlesWater beetles Clams Clams SnailsSnails CrayfishCrayfish
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
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?
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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).
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
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
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
Planaria- FlatwormPlanaria- Flatworm
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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