Lake Acidification as a Limiting Factor in the Distribution of the Freshwater Amphipod Hyalella azteca

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Abstract
The distribution of the freshwater amphipod Hyalella azteca in 79 Ontario [Canada] lakes suggests that its absence may be a good indicator of lake acidification. Hyalella azteca was present in 69 of 71 nonacidified lakes, and absent in 8 of 8 lakes which either are now or recently were considered acidified. Bioassay data indicate a 96-h LC50 of pH 4.4 and a 10-d threshold LC50 of pH 4.5 for H. azteca in a natural surface water. Hyalella azteca is extremely rare in Plastic Lake, which undergoes severe short-term acidification in spring, and recruitment is delayed 2 wk in Heeney Lake which undergoes similar short-term acidification. In Dickie, Harp, Red Chalk, and Blue Chalk lakes, where springtime pH depressions below pH 4.7 were not recorded, H. azteca is abundant.