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Wetland macroinvertebrates of Prentiss Bay, Lake Huron, Michigan: diversity and functional group composition

Great Lakes Entomologist
Out-of-print
By: , and 

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Abstract

The Great Lakes support many fish and waterbirds that depend directly or indirectly on coastal wetlands during some portion of their life cycle. It is known that macroinvertebrates make up an important part of wetland food webs and ecosystem function; however, our understanding of species distribution within and among wetlands has only recently received attention. We investigated the macroinvertebrates of a freshwater marsh (Prentiss Bay) in the Les Chenaux Island Area of Northern Lake Huron, Michigan. Macroinvertebrate taxa diversity and functional feeding group composition were compared between two habitats. A shallow depositional habitat with higher vegetation diversity and little wave action was compared to a deeper erosional habitat with fewer plant species and more wave action. A total of 83 taxa were collected over the summer of 1996, representing two phyla (Arthropoda and Mollusca) and five classes (Arachnida, Bivalvia, Malacostraca, Gastropoda and Insecta). A total of 79 genera were identified, with 92% being insects (39 families composed of at least 73 genera). Of the total, 42 insect genera were common to both habitats,while relatively fewer were collected exclusively from the erosional compared the depositional habitat. When habitats were pooled, predators comprised about 50% of the functional group taxa, while gathering collectors and shredders each were about 20%. Filtering collectors and scrapers each represented < 10%. When comparing habitats, there was a relatively higher percentage of predators and shredders in the depositional habitat, while all other functional groups were lower. These data suggest that vegetation diversity, depth and wave action affect taxa composition and functional group organization of the Prentiss Bay marsh.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Wetland macroinvertebrates of Prentiss Bay, Lake Huron, Michigan: diversity and functional group composition
Series title Great Lakes Entomologist
Volume 35
Issue 2
Year Published 2002
Language English
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Description p. 149-160
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Great Lakes Entomologist
First page 149
Last page 160
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