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Thursday 31 July 2014

(Biotic Factors in Rivers) Insects and other Invertebrates.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotic_system_ecology

Up to 90% of invertebrates in some lotic systems are insects. These species exhibit tremendous diversity and can be found occupying almost every available habitat, including the surfaces of stones, deep below the substratum, adrift in the current, and in the surface film. Insects have developed several strategies for living in the diverse flows of lotic systems. Some avoid high current areas, inhabiting the substratum or the sheltered side of rocks. Additional invertebrate taxa common to flowing waters include mollusks such as snailslimpetsclamsmussels, as well as crustaceans like crayfish and crabs.Like most of the primary consumers, lotic invertebrates often rely heavily on the current to bring them food and oxygen (Brown 1987). Invertebrates, especially insects, are important as both consumers and prey items in lotic systems.

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