Crustaceans
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Riparian: There are 33 crustacean species found in the Colorado River and its tributaries within Grand Canyon National Park. Of these 33, 16 are considered true zooplankton organisms. Grand Canyon's crustacean species can be grouped into five major types: Calanoid copepods, Cyclopoid copepods, cladocerans, amphipods, and ostracods. The zooplankton crustaceans constitute a significant food source for larval rainbow trout, larval bluehead and flannelmouth suckers, as well as many benthic invertebrates. Related Information Grand Canyon Invertebrate Species Collection (1.7MB XLS File) Arizona Game and Fish Web Site |
Did You Know?
From Yavapai Point on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the drop to the Colorado River below is 4,600 feet (1,400 m). The elevation at river level is 2,450 feet (750 m) above sea level. Without the Colorado River, a perennial river in a desert environment, the Grand Canyon would not exist.