A Comparison of the Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Assemblages of St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies

Abstract

A survey of macroinvertebrates inhabiting the freshwater habitats of St. Kitts and Nevis was conducted during June 1996, May 1997, and January 2000. Qualitative collections were made by sweeping a dip net through the water column and by hand examination of rocks, plants, and debris submerged in both flowing and standing bodies of freshwater across these islands. These collections yielded at least 90 species, 57 from St. Kitts and 61 from Nevis. Many of the species encountered are being reported for the first time from these islands. Dominant taxa collected included several species of gastropods, decapod crustaceans, odonates, hemipterans, and coleopterans. Generally the macroinvertebrate fauna of St. Kitts and Nevis is sparse, most likely due to their oceanic origins and disturbances of their freshwater environments.