A Survey of Freshwater Macroinvertebrates on Grenada, West Indies

Authors

  • David Bass Biology Department, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma, USA

Keywords:

Freshwater Macroinvertebrates, Grenada

Abstract

A survey of macroinvertebrates inhabiting the freshwater habitats of Grenada was conducted during May and June of 1996. Qualitative collections were made by sweeping a dip net through the water column and by hand examination of rocks, plants, and other debris submerged in both flowing and standing bodies of fresh water across the island. These collections yielded at least 32 species previously unknown from Grenada. When my collections were combined with those made by previous investigators, the total number of species recorded from the island is expanded to total at least 86. Dominant taxa collected included a few species of gastropods, decapod crustaceans, ephemeropterans, odonates, and hemipterans. Generally this macroinvertebrate fauna is sparse, most likely due to the oceanic origin of Grenada and periodic disturbance of freshwater environments across the island.

Published

2004-12-31

Issue

Section

Research Papers