Field Survey: Aquatic Insects & the Riparian Habitat - Biosciweb.net

Field Survey: Aquatic Insects & the Riparian Habitat 13.1Lab #13 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal BiologyThe goal of this fieldtrip is to examine the diversity of insects in a riparian habitat andformulate hypotheses about the selective pressures faced by these species and theiradaptations for survival in this habitat.We will meet at the sign by the Rattlesnake Canyon trailhead for your lab to survey thediversity of various aquatic insects in a local freshwater stream (riparian) habitat.You will form groups of three to four, with each group taking a couple of dip nets, a smallaquarium/tray, and several jars. (The dragonfly naiads and the belastomatids need to beseparated from the other specimens, and from each other. They are aggressive predators.)Each group will select a small pond or similar area. You will be doing a rough census ofabundance as you collect from your area, keeping track of about how many of each speciesis found. Also note where (water surface, water column, benthic habitat, land-water interface,etc.) in the area that each species tends to be found.For instance, the Hemiptera divide up the water column among themselves:‣ Gerrids = abundant on top of the water, feed on things that drop onto the surface‣ Notonectids = less abundant, swim upside down, feed in the upper half of the watercolumn and at the surface‣ Corixids = relatively rare, swim facing down, feed in the lower part of the water column,and on the bottom‣ Belastomatids = usually only one or two per pond, rest solidly on the bottom, feed onanything they want to thereLAB PROCEDURENAME:LAB SCORE:On the attached pages (use extra paper if you need it), take notes to record the following:1. the date, time and climate for the day you went on the fieldtrip2. a brief description of the riparian habitat in which you observed animals and anyunusual characteristics of the physical environment or habitat you observed3. all observed animal species, their phylum, class and order (if we studied it) andabundance (if there are many of one group or species indicate general relative abundance). Forbirds, be sure to indicate the order.4. the specific habitat (sandy shore, rocky intertidal) or part of a habitat (eg. benthic) inwhich you observed each speciesThe write-up below will count for additional points and a distance learning assignmentfor the course.

Field Survey: Aquatic Insects & the Riparian Habitat 13.2Lab #13 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal BiologyAfter you have completed the trip, write up your observations in a concise formaccording to the following guidelines:YOU MUST ANSWER THE QUESTIONS INDICATED IN THE DISTANCE LEARNINGASSIGNMENT ON THE WEBSITE.This report must be submitted no later than the due date indicated on the coursewebsite.You may wish to refer to exercise #15 in the Hickman lab manual on insects.Use the last few pages of the lab and extra paper provided to describe and/or quicklysketch the various species that you find.‣ Use the guide pages and line drawings of insects distributed in lab for reference.‣ Identify insects to the level of ORDER.OBSERVATIONAL NOTES:

Field Survey: Aquatic Insects & the Riparian Habitat 13.3Lab #13 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal BiologyOBSERVATIONAL NOTES:

Field Survey: Aquatic Insects & the Riparian Habitat 13.4Lab #13 - Biological Sciences 102 – Animal BiologyOBSERVATIONAL NOTES: