Macroinvertebrates consist of hundreds of species that can be found in vernal pools. In this video try and find the fairy shrimp, mosquito larvae, water mites, copepods, chironomid midges, and so much more! Macroinvertebrates are key to the vernal pool ecosystem as they help decompose the leaf litter and provide food for amphibians, reptiles, and birds.
Posted in Fairy Shrimp
Tagged amphibian, conservation, cool, copepods, council, ecosystem, education, environmental, fairy, invertebrates, macro, midge, mosquito, ohio, partnership, pools, preservation, protection, shrimp, vernal
Fairy shrimp are the fresh water cousins of brine shrimp and are considered crustaceans. They are about an inch in length. They feed on vegetation and on small creatures. They lay eggs which are called “cysts.” These cysts have prven viable in labs past 200 degrees F and 100 degrees F below zero. They are eaten by water fowl and other animals. They can be only found in vernal pools. These shrimp reside in a pool in Delaware County Ohio.
Posted in Fairy Shrimp
Tagged amphibian, celebrezze, crustaceans, environment, fairy, ohio, pools, protection, shrimp, vernal, wetlands