Epiphytic Macroinvertebrates on Dominant Macrophytes in Two Central Florida Lakes

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Abstract
The density and biomass of epiphytic macroinvertebrates on Eichhornia crassipes, Nuphar luteum, Panicum hemitomon, Paspalidium geminatum, Ceratophyllum demersum, Utricularia spp. and Hydrilla vertlcillata were determined In Orange and Henderson lakes, Florida, during December 1982 and February, April, June and August 1983. Density and biomass of epiphytic macroinvertebrates ranged from 6 to 9714 individuals kg−1 wet weight of plant and 2 to 3118 mg dry weight kg−1 wet weight of plant, respectively, among macrophyte species. The quantities of epiphytic macroinvertebrates were greater on floating and submergent plants than on emergent plants. Abundant invertebrate taxa included Hirudinea, Gastropoda, Amphipoda, Odonata, Trichoptera, and Diptera. There were significant (P <0.05) temporal variations in the abundance of invertebrates; however, consistent temporal trends were not evident.