This site was
designed to serve as a resource for "non-experts" who are interested in
learning more about the biology and taxonomic identification of aquatic
macroinvertebrates commonly found in the streams and rivers of Southeastern Ohio.
This key is a
pictorial method of identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates to the Order level.
The photographs in this key were taken using a stereoscopic zoom microscope
(Nikon SMZ 1500) with an attached digital camera (RT Color, Diagnostic
Instruments Inc.) designed for photomicroscopy. The key covers organisms
collected in the Sunday, Monday and Raccoon Creek watersheds of South East Ohio.
The organisms were collected using dip nets, surbers and dendy samplers. Though
all images are of locally collected taxa, the key should be suitable for other
North American regions as well.
Instructions for using the key are given at the beginning of the key. Clicking
on most images will give you a larger image of the macroinvertebrates.
This site is a work
in progress. New photographs will be added and the key will be extended to
identify macroinvertebrates to the family level and then later to the genus
level.
This site has been
funded through an internship from the Office of Surface Mining and is in
partnership with Ohio University, Athens and the Sunday Creek Watershed Group.
