Stream Ecology - The Other Players
Midges in the larva stage. True Flies (Diptera) Midges (Chironomidae): mostly collector-gatherers. A very diverse group found in most aquatic habitats.
Blackflies in the adult and larvae life stages. Blackflies (Simuliidae) Filter-collectors. Larval blackflies have fans that they extend into the stream current. These fans can filter out particles as fine bacteria.
Crane Flies in the larva and adult stages. Crane Flies (Tipulidae) Large shredders of leaf litter.
Flatworms (Turbellaria): Predators and collector-gatherers. They are sometime found on dead salmon. Water Mites (Hydracarina): These are predators or parasites depending on life stage. Aquatic Earthworms (Oligochaeta): Collector-gatherers.
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Did You Know?
Brown and grizzly bears are classified as the same species. Brown bears found inland and in northern habitats are often called “grizzlies” while “brown bear” is used to refer to animals found in coastal areas.