Invertebrates & Amphibians

Invertebrates Invertebrates are animals without backbones. This simple

definition hides the tremendous diversity found within this group which includes protozoa (single-celled animals), corals, sponges, sea urchins, starfish, sand dollars, worms, snails, clams, spiders, crabs, and insects. In fact, more than 98 percent of the nearly two million described species are invertebrates.

Invertebrates are ectotherms (cold-blooded): they warm their bodies by absorbing heat from their surroundings. Most invertebrates live in water or spend at least some part of their life in water.

Adulthood stage – focus is on reproduction, or “HATCH” and they don’t eat during this stage.

• Lay eggs in under or around water – most are carnivorous

• Metamorphosis• These insects are mostly in their immature form and live their adult life on land,

sometimes for only a few hours. Most aquatic insects can be divided into two groups: ones that develop through complete metamorphosis, and ones that develop through incomplete metamorphosis.

• Metamorphosis is the change that occurs during the organism's development from egg to adult. Some aquatic insects develop through complete metamorphosis, which consists of four stages. These immature insects are called larvae and the do not resemble the adults, and in fact, may look grossly different. During the pupae stage, the organisms inhabit a "cocoon-like" structure where the transformation from larvae to adult occurs.

• Incomplete metamorphosis has three main stages of development (except for the mayfly that has two winged growing stages). These immature insects are called nymphs and they undergo a series of molts until the last decisive molt transforms the organism into an adult or imago in mayflies. There is no intermediate pupae stage where transformation occurs. The nymphs resemble the adults closely except for wing development.

It's a good sign if mothlike caddisflies are present near lakes and other bodies of water, because it means pollution

levels are low and the quality of water is good. Life Cycle and Habitat

Caddisflies live near bodies of water. Females usually lay hundreds of eggs in a large mass. Caddisfly development lasts several months and goes

through four stages, culminating with the insect developing its wings. Caddisflies live mostly as aquatic bugs. The

lifespan of an adult is so short (often just a couple days at the most), it does not even feed. Larval stages, on the other hand, feed on plants, algae and other insects underwater.

Caddisfly

Adult Cranefly

CraneFly “mosquito on Roids”• Crane Flies mate on plants near water or in mid-air over the water,

depending on the species. Adult Crane Flies do not eat. They have only one purpose, to mate and lay eggs.

• Female Crane Flies lay eggs in water or in moist soil near the water. If a Crane Fly lays them in water, she will stick the tip of her abodmen under the surface and the eggs will sink to the bottom. If a Crane Fly lays her eggs in soil, she uses her ovipositor to inject them below the soil surface.

• The larvae of aquatic species (also called "water worms") will live most of their lives on the bottom of the stream or lake under dead leaves or other debris. Larvae of terrestrial (land) species, live in mud or wet moss near the water.

• All Crane Fly larvae eat decaying plants, dead leaves, fungi, or roots of plants.

Damselfly

Damselfly “Bluet”

DamselFly - • The Damselfly (Suborder Zygoptera) is an insect in the

Order Odonata. Damselflies are similar to dragonflies, but the adults can be differentiated by the fact that the wings of most damselflies are held along the body when at rest. The adult has four wings that fold over the back. Damselflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with an aquatic nympal stage. Molts 10 – 12 times before adulthood is reached While clinging to this vegetation the nymph's skin breaks along the wing case and out crawls a shortened version of the adult. Before taking flight, the new adult must pump body fluids into its abdomen and wings. Depending on the species, the adult will live for several weeks to several months before mating and dying.

DobsonFly

Dobsonfly

• This animal spends most of its life (two to three years) as a larva, living underwater. \

• Hellgrammites live under rocks to avoid predators, especially fish. They ambush other animals, especially aquatic insects, such as larvae of dragonflies, damselflies, stoneflies, and mayflies.

• Hellgrammites have strong jaws and can draw blood from a human if not handled carefully.

• They use these jaws to take apart their prey. Hellgrammites also have little hooks on their abdomens which allow them to grab onto items so that they don't get swept away in the current. Hellgrammites are not very good swimmers. They move mostly by crawling.

Mayflies

Mayflies• Because of its short lifespan, the mayfly is called one-day or one-day

fly • There are four different types of mayflies: clingers, crawlers,

burrowers, and swimmers. Each different type of mayfly includes a variety of mayflies and hatches

• Life Cycle:    Adult mayflies are very short lived, surviving only one or two nights. During that time the adults mate in swarms in the air. They are also attracted to lights. Eggs are deposited while flying low over the water, or by dipping the abdomen on the water surface or some even submerge themselves and lay eggs underwater. Adult females lay eggs into water and often die on the water surface.  Immature stages develop through several stages (instars) by molting during development.  The number of molts varies depending on the species, temperature and water conditions. Immature stages then swim to the water surface or crawl onto rocks or plants.

• Mayflies are the only group of insects that molt after they have wings. In all other orders winged forms are as only found on adult forms, the last stage of development. A typical life cycle will last one year.

•

StoneFly

StoneFly• Metamorphosis: Incomplete (see our life cycle page for more

information) • Nymphs: possess two distinct "tails" called cerci, which are actually

sensory feelers; brightly colored in tan, brown, gold, and black; length varies, up to 1 inch.

• Reproduction: females deposit eggs on top of water where they drift down to the bottom.

• Adults: resemble nymphs, but possess a long air of wings folded down the length of the body.

• Food:• some stoneflies are carnivorous, others feed on algae, bacteria, and

vegetable debris; eaten by a variety of fish species.• Indicator Role:• Stonefly mandibles• Indicates ample supply of oxygen, important food for coldwater fish

such as trout. One of the EPT taxa used to indicate cleaner waters. Mostly found in the swift flow of stream riffles.

Dragonflies

Dragonflies' A dragonfly is an insect belonging to the order Odonata,

characterized by large multifaceted eyes, two pairs of strong, transparent wings, and an elongated body. Dragonflies are similar to damselflies, but adults hold their wings away from, and perpendicular to the body when at rest.

Dragonflies typically eat mosquitoes and other small insects. They are valued as predators, since they help control populations of harmful insects. Dragonflies are usually found around lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands because their larvae, known as "nymphs", are aquatic. Adult dragonflies do not bite or sting humans, though nymphs are capable of delivering a painful but harmless bite. Pre Date Dinosaurs by over 100 million years

Water Penny

Water Penny Beetles Larvae: resemble circular encrustations on rocks; sucker-like; colored

green, black, but usually tan or brown; length usually no more than 1/2 inch.

Reproduction: adult females crawl into water and deposit eggs on undersides

of stones. Adults: typical beetle shaped-body; resemble an extremely large riffle

beetle (not truly aquatic; can be found on emergent rocks in riffles).

Food: primarily plant debris such as algae and diatoms. Indicator Role: indicates ample supply of oxygen, and fast flow of water.

Pollution Tolerance Sensitive Benthos Stoneflies Water Penny Beetles Mayflies Dobsonflies Alderflies Snipeflies Mussels Riffle Beetles Moderately Tolerant Benthos Damselflies Dragonflies Crayfish Amphipods Blackflies Caddisflies Isopods Craneflies Pollution Tolerant Benthos Midge flies Worms Leeches Pouch Snails

Macroinvertebrate Identification

American Toad

American Toad

• American Toad• How to Identify: 2 - 4 1/2 in. (5.1-8.9 cm);

brown to red to olive; dark, warty skin; elongated glands found at the ridge behind the eye or connected by a short spur. Habitat: Common in a variety of habitats wherever there are insects, moisture, and a variety of shallow waters for breeding.

• Breeding: April through June.

Wood Frog

Spring Peeper

Spring Peeper The male's advertisement call is a series of sharp,

piercing, bird-like peeps repeated about once per second of faster. Distant chorus may sound like tinkling of sleigh bells. Breeds throughout the east in ditches, pools, and ponds, from spring to early summer in the north and from winter to spring in the south. Spring Peepers are nocturnal carnivores, emerging at night to primarily feed on small invertebrates such as beetles, ants, flies, and spiders.[2] They do not climb high into trees but hunt in low vegetation. Spring Peepers living in deep damp forests are active hunters both day and night.[3]

Bullfrog

Green Frog

Difference between Green and Bull Frogs

An adult bullfrog's body measures 8 inches, while green frogs measure 4 inches. Green frogs have pronounced, protruding eyes; bullfrog eyes are set deeper into the head and are less elevated. Green frogs have a variety of species with different colors and markings, compared with the standard green and brown bullfrog color. A green frog's tympanum is more conspicuous than a bullfrog's tympanum, which blends with its body color. The green frog has raised dorsal-lateral ridges that run down both sides of its legs. A bullfrog's ridges wrap around the tympanum (eardrum) and stop at the base of the eardrum.

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