Stream Invertebrate Zoology

Abstract

For over a century, there has been strong interest in freshwater streams and rivers. Since the inception of studies on running waters, invertebrates have been a central theme. Early descriptive work in Scandinavia and New Zealand was followed by work in Europe, England, and then North America and Australia. Presently, there is a very significant interest worldwide including Asia, Central and South America, and Africa in freshwater invertebrates. Throughout, insects have dominated the focus on invertebrates. Although the major marine invertebrate groups are present in freshwaters, there are essentially no marine insects. A clear picture of the habitat and food requirements of running water invertebrates shows that they serve as important indicators of water quality and fisheries. Major paradigms, such as the River Continuum and functional feeding groups, have provided frameworks for studies of running water (lotic) invertebrates. Once stream and river research achieved an international status by separation from lake domination of the limnology discipline, there has been an avalanche of running water invertebrate research.