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Benthic Macroinvertebrates In A Hydrilla Infested Central Florida Lake, Stefani L. Scott

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Benthic macroinvertebrates and physicochemical parameters were monitored simultaneously with hydrilla in a central Florida lake. Changes in the benthos were described in relation to plant growth. Twenty-seven of the 54 taxa of benthic macroinvertebrates collected were members of the Family Chironomidae. Chironomids and oligochaetes numerically dominated the benthos, comprising of 82% of the individual collected. The greatest numbers of species and individuals were found during the winter when hydrilla biomass was low. Hydrilla biomass ranged from 0.385 kg/m2 in April, 1977 to 2.275 kg/m2 in October, 1977. Low numbers of species and individuals were collected from bottom sediments during summer …