Catch of the Day: The Fish Families of Ohio

Professors and students work together to identify a "mystery" fish.

This week’s lab involved taking a tour through the fish families of Ohio, guided by Dr. Sheil. We began by covering the basics of fish morphology. The first thing emphasized was the arrangement of fins and their proper titles, which included: the dorsal fin, caudal fin, anal fin, pelvic fin and pectoral fin. The bony supports within fins are fin rays, which are softer and more flexible, and spines, which are stiffer processes. The bony plate that covers the gills is called the operculum. The line running the length of the fish’s body is known as the lateral line, and it is a sensory organ used to detect pressure changes in water.

Basic external anatomy. (Photo credit)

Our lecture also covered the three basic scale types: ganoid, cycloid and ctenoid scales. Ganoid scales are the basal, or ancestral, scale type that has an upper surface covered in ganoine, which is a mineralized tissue comparable to enamel. Cycloid scales are a rounded type of scale, whereas ctenoid scales have more of an irregular shape.

Basal (heterocercal) and derived (homocercal) tail conditions. (Photo credit)

Another of the basic morphological characteristics discussed were the two types of tails. The ancestral condition is a heterocercal tail, which is asymmetrical, with the vertebral column extending into the larger lobe. Alternately, the symmetrical homocercal tail type is derived and seen much more commonly in the fish of Ohio.

Meaghanardo da Vinci puts the finishing touches on her scientific illustration.

After learning the basics we were ready to take a plunge through the different families of fish found in Ohio. We traveled to each of the different tables throughout the lab and sketched the preserved representatives of the families, taking note of particular morphological features that will aid in identification.

Petromyzontidae: Lampreys

Lamprey specimens. Note the buccal funnel (right), which these parasites use to attach to fish hosts, as shown in the center photo.  (Photo credit)

Lampreys are parasites of other fish. They use their buccal funnel (mouth), which is lined with cornified “teeth,” and rasping tongue to feed of host fish. Although lampreys have a mouth, they are jawless, so they lack an operculum. The lamprey’s overall morphology resembles an eel in the sense it lacks pelvic and pectoral fins. The dorsal fin is posteriorly displaced and is fused with the caudal and anal fin. The dorsal fin can be undivided, have a wide notch between the dorsal and caudal fins, or have a deep notch between the two fins. The condition of the dorsal fin and the anatomy of the mouth are often used to characterize species belonging to this family.

Acipenseridae: Sturgeons

Representatives from Acipenseridae. These fish have conspicuous bony plates on their dorsum, four conspicuous barbels on the ventral snout, and heterocercal tails. (Photo credit)

The sturgeon is a large, prehistoric-looking fish that has an ancestral, heterocercal tail. This fish has bony plates, or scutes, that are arranged in rows running the length of the body. Under the snout, one can see four distinct barbels and a tubular mouth used for sucking food items off the substrate. There are two species in Ohio, Acipenser fluvescens and Scaphirhynchus platorynchus. Scaphirhynchus platorynchus can be differentiated due to its long, slender tail and large, bony plates on the caudal peduncle.

Lepisosteidae: Gars

Members of Lepisosteidae. Note the slender snout and abbreviated heterocercal tail. (Photo credit)

Gars have a long snout that is filled with long, fang-like teeth, making them look fierce in appearance. Typically found in slow-moving and turbid tributaries, these fish turn right or left to grab prey as they swim through the water column. This fish has an elongated body that is covered with rhomboid, ganoid scales, which function as “armor-plated” protection. The dorsal fin is posteriorly displaced, which is often associated with “sprinter” fish or fish that swim near the surface. The operculum of members of this family has many bones on the “cheek” rather than just a singular opercular shield. It should also be noted the gars have an abbreviated heterocercal tail. The genus that we have in Ohio is Lepisosteus.

Clupeidae: Herrings and Herring allies

Alewife specimens. The vertical eyelid and the ventral row of keeled scales that help distinguish this fish. (Photo credit)

This “cute” family of fish has a few unique morphological characteristics that can help in identification. First, the dorsal fin is situated almost directly over the pelvic fin. Secondly, this family of fish has no lateral line system. Also, on the underside of the fish there is a row of keeled scales that resemble saw teeth. Furthermore, the anal fin is so broad and long it almost appears to interact with the caudal fin. A particularly interesting member of this group is the alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), which has a “bizarre” eyelid that opens and closes vertically as opposed to horizontally, and is a dead giveaway for identification.

Salmonidae: Salmons, Trouts, and Whitefish

Examples of fish belonging to Salmonidae. In the photo on the left, the pelvic axillary process is highlighted. In the photo on the right, the adipose fin can be seen. (Photo credit)

These fish have small cycloid scales which give them a smooth appearance. Both male and female fish of this family possess a bilateral axillary process located above the pelvic fin. Cameron shared that he recently completed work for a research project that utilized this fleshy process for genetic testing. Researchers remove the process without significant negative impact on the fish by clipping it with a pet nail trimmer. Another feature of this group is presence of an adipose fin, which is a small, fleshy fin, composed of fat and located between the dorsal and caudal fin. The brook trout (Salvelinus frontinalis) and the lake trout (S. namaycush) are two examples of fish from this family that can be found in Ohio.

Esocidae: Pikes

Fish belonging to Esocidae are distinguished by their "duck bill" shaped mouths. (Photo credit)

These fish look distinct because their snouts resemble duck bills and are filled with large canine teeth. Similar to gars, the pike’s dorsal fin is displaced posteriorly because this fish swims near the surface and is a “sprinter.” These voracious predators rest in the grass, wait for prey, and then shoot out to grab them with their sharp teeth. Esox is the genus found in Ohio. Muskellunge and pike are typically found in large lakes, while pickerels live in small streams.

Catastomidae: Suckers, Redhorses and Buffalo fish 

The common carp (left), which is member of the Cyprinidae family, can be confused with Carpoides (right), which is a member of the Catastomidae family. The center photo shows the ventral view of both fishes. Note the striate, sucker-like lips of Carpoides and lack of barbels.

The most obvious feature of fish in this family is the subterminal mouth. The large and striated, sucker-like lips are used to adhere to substrate and suck up food, such as periphyton from rocks and logs. In Ohio, we can find the red horse (Moxostoma), the buffalo fish (Carpoides), and the common white sucker (Catastoma commersoni). We were cautioned not to confuse Carpoides with the common carp, which belongs to Cyprinidae. Carpoides superficially resembles a carp, but is distinguished by a nipple-like process on the bottom lip and a lack of barbels.

Ictaluridae: Catfishes, Madtoms

Madtom (left) and catfish (right) specimens. Note the small size of the madtom, as well as the unforked, rounded caudal fin. Alternately, the larger catfish displays the characteristic forked caudal fin. (Photo credit)

Members of this family usually have more than eight barbels around their mouth. An interesting feature lies within the fins, with both the dorsal and pectoral fins having a large spine. The spines are defensive weapons, which prevent fish from being swallowed by impaling predators. Dr. Sheil mentioned that people walking in lakes will sometimes accidentally step on skeletons of these fish and receive a painful puncture wound from the dorsal spine. These fish lack scales, but an adipose fin is present. Catfish (Ictalurus) and madtoms (Noturus) can be easily confused if one does not know what specific morphological features to compare. However, adult madtoms do not get much larger in length than the distance between your extended thumb and pinky finger, while catfish can grow to be quite large. Looking at the tail can also help one decipher between the two. Madtoms have an unforked, rounded caudal fin, whereas the caudal fin of the catfish is forked. 

Cyprinidae: Carp, Minnows, Daces, Shiners and Goldfish

A close-up of the tiny barbels of a "unknown" member of Cyprinidae, which we later determined to be a northern creek chub. The central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum, left) and the fathead minnow (Pimephales) belong to Cyprinidae. (Photo credits: 1, 2)

Cyprinids have a more terminal mouth and in some species, the upper jaw has fleshy barbels that hang from it. Sometimes these barbels can be cryptic. One example of a familiar Ohio cyprinid is the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The goldfish (Carassius auratus) is distinguished from the common carp due to a lack of barbels on its upper jaw. Another group within Cyprinidae is the minnows (Campostoma), which can be characterized by a large “C" shaped upper lip that causes a heavy overbite. Fathead minnows (Pimephales) have only a slight overbite, but very crowded scales on the dorsum.

Anguillidae: Freshwater Eels

American eel specimens. Note the continuous dorsal, caudal and anal fin. (Photo credit)

The freshwater eel has almost a serpent-like appearance, with pelvic fins absent and a fused dorsal, caudal and anal fin. This fish has scales so small it appears to be scaleless. On each side of the fish we find a single opercular opening. A freshwater eel species found in Ohio is the American eel (Anguilla rostrata).

Atherinidae: Sliversides

Silversides (top) can potentially be confused with a similarly colored Notropis (Cyprinidae, bottom). However, fish in Atherinidae are distinguished by their distinct "bird-beak" shaped mouth, large eyes, and serrated row of scales running the length of the body.

Sliversides resemble a miniature freshwater barracuda. These fish have a very flat head and back, along with a “bird–beak” shaped mouth. Sliversides also have very large eyes. Running down the length of the body is row of serrated scales that stand out against the conspicuous cycloid scales of the rest of the body. Sliversides also have two dorsal fins, the first of which is shorter and has six spines. In Ohio, we find the brook silverside (Labidesthes sicculus). When captured in a seine net, these fish are easily recognized by the silver flash on their side that reflects light.

Moronidae: White Basses

Specimens from Moronidae. Note the spine on the opercular flap. (Photo credit)

The fish in this group have two dorsal fins, the first of which has spines that are sharp and the second just has flexible rays. The key feature for this family is a spine that is located on the opercular flap. Members of this family commonly seen in Ohio are white bass (Morone chrysops), striped bass (M. saxatilis) and white perch (M. americana). Moronids can be distinguished from members of Centrarchidae by the condition of the dorsal fins, which as discussed below, are fused in centrarchids.

Centrarchidae: Blackbass, Crappies and Sunfishes

Fused dorsal fins are characteristic of many members of the Centrarchidae family. (Photo credits: 1, 2)

When it comes to members of this family, attention to detail is critical for identification. Counting the number of dorsal and anal fin spines as well as examining the size of the scales is very important. In Ohio, members of this family include blackbass (Micropterus), which have fused dorsal fins and small scales. The sunfishes also have fused dorsal fins, but larger scales than the blackbass. Finally, Ohio is home to crappies (Pomoxis), which have 5-8 dorsal spines and 5-7 anal spines.

Percidae: Walleyes, Perch and Darters

Morphological features such as obvious paired dorsal fins, a torpedo-like body, and spines associated with the anterior of the anal fin distinguish fish belonging to Percidae. (Photo credits: 1, 2)

Fish in this family generally have large, blocky heads and the body depth tends to be less than the head length. The overall shape of the body resembles a torpedo. These fish also have conspicuously paired dorsal fins and a spine associated with the anterior end of the anal fin. In Ohio, we find walleye (Stizostedion), which have a very flat belly and two dorsal fins. We also have darters (Etheostoma), which have very blunt faces and huge pectoral fins. Finally, we have the roughbelly darters and logperches (Percina) that have a more tapered face compared to darters in the genus Etheostoma, as well as significantly smaller pectoral fins.

Gobiidae: Gobies

The cup-shaped pelvic fin of the goby acts a suction cup and allows the fish to hold onto rocks.

This invasive group of fish is distinguished by its cup-shaped pelvic fin, which acts as a suction cup to allow them to withstand the current and sit in place on the benthos. As we learned in a previous lab, these voracious gobies will eat the eggs of other fish species in the time that it takes a fisherman to pose with the captured fish for a photo. There are strict restrictions on fishing activity due to the threat of goby predation on the eggs of native fish species.

Cameron labels new preservation jars to update the JCU fish collection as Alison enjoys the aroma of fish preservatives. Meanwhile, Chelsea digs deep for more unknown fishes and Kim supervises the search.

We concluded the lab by helping improve the JCU Biology Department’s fish collection by identifying and sorting "unknown" fish specimens. Using a dichotomous key specific to families of Ohio fishes, we were able to organize mixed collections of unknown fish into fresh and properly labeled preservation jars. 

A figure detailing different types of scale counts that can be performed to achieve more specific taxonomic classification. (Photo credit)

In addition to basic morphological features such as fin condition, presence or absence of barbels, tail type and snout shape, it was necessary to count scales to determine finer classifications of unknown specimens.


Fish Family List

Petromyzontidae: Lampreys

Acipenseridae: Sturgeons

Lepisosteidae: Gars

Clupeidae: Herrings and Herring allies

Salmonidae: Salmons, Trouts, and Whitefish

Esocidae: Pikes

Catastomidae: Suckers, Redhorses and Buffalo fish

Ictaluridae: Catfishes, Madtoms

Cyprinidae: Carp, Minnows, Daces, Shiners and Goldfish

Anguillidae: Freshwater Eels

Atherinidae: Sliversides

Moronidae: White Basses

Centrarchidae: Blackbass, Crappies and Sunfishes

Percidae: Walleyes, Perch and Darters

Gobiidae: Gobies

Beach City Core Sampling

The Common Fish of Ohio by Meaghan Gade and Ben Madden

The Common Fish of Ohio

     In todays episode, we traveled to the laboratory within Dolan Science Center to delve into the identifications of common fish of Ohio. We had a special guest appearance by Dr. Chris Sheil who explained the diversity of fish found within the Ohio waters. Dr. Sheil gave us a lecture on the diagnostic characteristics of common Ohio fish families.

There are many characteristics used to differentiate between the families of these common fish including the types and location of fins, spines, and fin ray features. Additionally, the type of caudal fin, either heterocercal tails, which are tapered at the end and represent the ancestral condition, or homocercal tails in which the upper and lower lobes of the caudal fin are equal can be used as an identifying feature. Also, examining the presence or absence of the lateral line, which allows the fish to sensor the pressure changes in the water, and types of scale types: from ganoid scales which are rhomboid shaped and covered with ganoine, to rounded cycloid scales, and ctenoid scales which are angular or oblong, can help identify families. Once the lecture by Dr. Sheil was finished, we split off and started to go through the many collections of fish set out. We drew an illustration of one representative of each family to help us learn the distinct traits each family express.

Buccal funnel of Lamprey

          The Lampreys belong to the family Petromyzontidae which look eel-like and have no scales, pectoral or pelvic fins. They have multiple gill slits and a buccal funnel with cornified teeth and rasping tongue. They do have dorsal and caudal fins present and characterization of species can be determined by the condition of dorsal fin (not divided, notches between dorsal fins)   

Family Anguillidae

Family Anguillidae, the freshwater eels have fused dorsal, anal, and caudal fin with scales so tiny the fish appears scaleless. Unlike the lamprey, the eel also has pectoral fins with opercular opening anterior to the pectoral fin. 

Acipenseridae tubular mouth and 4 barbels 

One of the larger size representations we examined in lab was the Acipenseridae, or sturgeon. The sturgeon have a tubular mouth with four barbels under snout. There are also large rows of bony plates covering the body. Additionally, sturgeon have a conspicuous heterocercal tail that may contain bony plates on it. 

Family Lepisosteidae, or gar, are found in slow moving waters or side bends and tend to be surface hangers. Gar have ganoid scales that cover the whole body. On the posterior end of the gar, you will find a abbreviated heterocercal tail with a posterior displaced dorsal fin. On the anterior end, the nostrils are at the tip of the snout. Gar have large, fang-like teeth.  


Alosa pseudohareuyus, alewife

Family Lepisosteidae 



Family Clupeidae are the Herrings and can be identified by four significant traits. (1) dorsal fin located over the pelvic fin. (2) keeled belly scales which meet with the long anal fin, giving the belly a “serrated” feel (3) rounded snout and terminal mouth 4. no lateral line system. The alewife, Alosa pseudohareuyus, has an diagnostic eye feature, in which the lids are vertical and the pupil is horizontal.

Adipose fin of Salmonidae

Within the family Salmonidae are salmons, trout, and whitefish. There are two distinct features that can be used to identify this family. (1) the presence of a pelvic axillary process located by the pelvic fin. (2) An adipose fin located dorsally between the dorsal and caudal fin. Also, members of this family have many tiny, cycloid scales. 

Pike are found in the Family Esocidae and are found in large lakes or some small streams. They have huge canine teeth on the duckbill looking snout. The deeply forked caudal fin and posteriorly placed dorsal fin help it cruise along the surface for long distances.  



Family Esocidae



Family Catastomidae consists of suckers, redhorses, and buffalo fish which are identified by their c-shaped, sucker-like lips that are striate. The anal fin is displaced posteriorly and the dorsal fin has up to 9 fin rays. Sometimes, the buffalo fish in this family is confused with carps in family Cyprinidae, however the buffalo fish has a nipple like process on its lower lip, and a conspicuous dorsal fin.

Family Ictaluridae

The Catfish and the madtoms are grouped in the family Ictaluridae. They are identified by the 8 barbells around the mouth. Additionally, the dorsal and pectoral fin have a large spine associated with it along with and they also have an adipose fin, like the Salmonids. To differentiate between madtoms and catfish, the caudal fin is examined. If an unforked fin is present, it is the madtom Notorus. The catfish has a forked caudal fin. 

Family Cyprinidae

The Family Cyprinidae includes carps, minnows, daces, shiners and goldfish. Carp (Cyprinus carpio) has an upperjaw with fleshy barbels. If it does not have barbels on upper jaw, it is Carassius auratus, or the goldfish. The dorsal fin has one stout spine at the leading edge, and is doubly serrated posteriorly. 

Family Atherinidae

The silversides are the Family Atherinidae. They have conspicuous cycloid scales and a very flattened head and back, and typically large eyes. Members of this family have two dorsal fins with the first one containing six spines. 

Family Moronidae

The whitebasses are in the Family Moronidae and have double dorsal fins, the first with spines and the second is without. They also have a small spine on opercle flap. 

The Family Centrarchidae includes the blackbass, crappies, and sunfish. These are classified having a fused dorsal fins and number of anal and dorsal spines. To identify species, scale size can be examined: black bass typically have small scales, while sunfish and crappie usually have large scales. 

Family Centrarchidae

Family Percidae consists of the Walleye, Perch, and Darters. They are identified by having conspicuous paired dorsal fins, a body depth that is less than head length, a torpedo shaped body, and can be classified further into the family by the size of the pectoral fin and facial features (narrow, tapered, blunt). Sometimes, members of this family can be confused with Moronidae, however, the Percidae lack an opercular spine. 

Family Percidae

Family Gobiidae, or the Gobies are identified by having a cup-shaped suction cup as a pelvic fin, and “chubby cheeks”. Additionally, it has a prominent rounded caudal fin. It can often get confused with Etheostoma from family Percidae, however, Etheostoma has a much larger pectoral fin then gobies.

Pelvic fin of Family Gobiidae



The Weekend Away at Old Woman Creek

The weekend away: The 2013 Aquatic Resources class trip to Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve

 By: Chelsea and Kim

Old woman creek  is a 572 acre naturally formed estuary used as a field laboratory in Huron Ohio. An estuary is identified as an area where inland waters, such as creeks and rivers, combine with water from the sea, or in this case—Lake Erie.

The aquatic resources adventures took off Saturday morning with a canoe trip down the creek to learn the layers of monitoring needed to maintain the health of the water system and attain samples of algae and macroinveretbrates…

CANOEING

With two to a canoe and led by a guide in a kayak, the fleet disembarked into Old Woman Creek around 9am on Saturday morning.

Class in canoes

The first view we encountered was a famous lotus filled landscape. In the 1800's a painter, by the name of Charles Curran, painted a portrait of his newlywed wife picking flowers from the blooming lotus plants. Comparing this painting to todays, it is easy to discern that it is the same place. Despite industrial revolutions and 150 years, the landscape has remained remarkably similar and unperturbed. Lotus and lilies grow in the pelagic zone, indicating the presence of deeper water, while the growth of reeds and sedges occur in Littoral zone.

Painting by Charles Curran

Lotus view (not season to bloom)

Next we came upon evidence of the extensive monitoring done by researchers to ensure the health of the aquatic system—a monitoring device that takes temperature and other readings to send to a remote weather service station. An aquatic system can be monitored on numerous levels including testing the water itself, identifying the biodiversity of algae and macroinvertebrates able to live in the water as well as identifying that of invertebrates both in the water and the surrounding watershed area. Throughout the canoe expedition we saw other research sites set up for research and quality assessment measuring alike. The water habitat and surrounding areas are greatly influenced by the water quality, emphasizing the need for routine measurements which is why dissolved oxygen, pH and biodiversity assays are regularly assessed and documented.

Sampling area for Macroinvertebrates.
Located on the underside of the leaves

MACROINVERTEBRATES

Our first canoe stop was amid the lotus plants to collect macroinvertebrates from the underside of their leaves. Placed in collection tubes filled with creek water, we collected a variety of macroinvertebrates by closely watching for their movement on the lotus leaves and storing them for identification in the lab in the afternoon. Identifying these give us a sampling of biodiversity of the water system and whether the organisms seen are pollution tolerant, intolerant or only are found in the presence of certain water components. Knowing the environmental niche of the invertebrates and comparing the niche overlap between the invertebrates found in the water system, scientists can develop a well-rounded picture of the make-up of the water.

Egret

VERTEBRATES

While continuing our canoe expedition, Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, Red-Winged Blackbirds, Bald Eagle, Great Egrets and other wildlife flew or soared nearby. Up in the trees, beyond the expanse of lotus plants were Bald Eagle nests. Thirty years ago the number of bald eagle nests had dwindled down to a total of four. The eagles were counted, monitored and protected over the past three decades and from that have managed to grow to a population including 250 nests—the number needed for the bald eagle population to sustain itself. Other wildlife populations are being as closely monitored and strengthened as the bald eagles had been, demonstrating another layer present in a healthy, balanced watershed community.

INVASIVE SPECIES

Area actively being restored.
Phragmites is still present but native
species of plants are being reintroduced.

Phragmites is a European plant growing invasively in the US.  Living in wetlands area, where there is a constant supply of water, Phragmites grows at an alarming rate where eighty percent of Phragmites seeds are viable. Phragmites takes over quickly causing eutrophication and drying of the area all of which affect numerous species previously reliant on the wetland habitat. Fire does not stop its growth and flooding, while effective, is not plausible due to the detrimental effect that would have on the rest of the watershed, so the process of removing Phragmites is very slowly being achieved. Researchers have found that the most effective destruction of this plant is by using sprays on it when the plant is in the phase of preparing its winter stores. The most significant part of ridding Phragmites from the watershed is performing plant restoration, which is planting non-invasive species of plants where Phragmites was removed from so that it does not encroach right back in. Coconut logs are used to transport and then stabilize in place the non-invasive plants used to fill in the space left by Phragmites.

Scenery of the upper reaches

CANOEING CONTINUED

We canoed into the upper reaches of the creek (the slightly lower order streams) where we saw the increasing influence of the riparian zone with leaves, seeds, etc. more frequently in our path. On the way back, a few of the canoes collected algae samples by using a tow line so that this afternoon we could assess the algae and eutrophication of the stream.

DIP NET AND FISH SEINE

Chelsea and Allison modeling
proper fish seining attire

Cameron encouraging fish into the net while Meaghan and
Julie man the poles

Back on shore, the canoes were each rinsed off and put away as we put on waders and prepared to collect samples off shore using dip nets and fish seine. Dip nets are used to collect macroinvertebrate samples at the water-air interface. Using a flat bottomed net attached to a pole, the net is scraped against the stream substrate at least three times to stir up what is living there. Those inhabitants are then caught in the net itself and when pulled to the surface, can be looked through and collected as needed. While some people collected dip net samples, a larger group began to collect fish with a fish seine. A fishing net connected by two poles and one person holds each pole so that the net is held vertically in the water. Standing so that the net makes a horseshoe shape, the two individuals begin to walk forward while a group of other people, a distance away, walk towards the net trying to scare the fish to swim in that direction. The pole holders slowly walk in together closing the horseshoe shape into a sphere where the net is closed around the fish that swam into the net. The closed net is pulled onto the shoreline carefully so the fish cannot swim away and the diversity of the fish caught is analyzed. The 3-4 seining attempts yielded only 2 different families of fish—Cyprinidae (emerald shiner) and Gobiidae (round Gobi). The macroinvertebrates collected from the dip netting were saved for identification in the lab.

LUNCH BREAK

Algae and Macroinvertebrates are ideal bioindicators because of their position on the food chain. Usually the bottom most link, the health, presence and diversity of these organisms have a direct influence on everything else within the system. The world is made up of 70% water and living within that is Plankton which provides the earth with more overall oxygen than trees. To get the most accurate picture of how well a water system is functioning, looking at the smallest and yet most fundamental portion is warranted. So while we ate, highest on the food chain, our guide prepared the lab so we could go and identify the family and genus of lowest.

MICROSCOPY

Hemiptera

Stereoscopes and Microscopes were set out in the lab/education room within the Old Woman’s Creek Visitor’s Center. Depending on which scope was closest, we split the class to look at an identify algae and macroinvertebrates. Soaking the invertebrates in 70% Ethanol, we began to identify the order of the different organisms and then, using identification guides, further analyzed the organism to determine family. Within the Class Insecta, we identified 8 different families. Within the Class Crustacea we found 3 different families.

Class	Order	Family
Insecta	Coleoptera	Haliplidae (crawling water beetle)
	Diptera	Stratiomyidae (soldier fly)
	Ephemeroptera	Baetidae (small minnow mayfly)
	Hemiptera	Gerridae (water strider); Corixidae (water boatman); Belostomatidae (giant water bug)
	Odonata	Coenagrionidae (narrow-winged damselfly); Libellulidae (Dragonfly)

Phylum	Class	Order
Crustacea (subphylum)	Cladocera	Daphnia; Bosmina
	Malacostracan	Amphipoda (water scud)
Gastrotrich

On the Algal side of things, we identified to Class and then grouped them by Phylum. The diversity within the algae specimens was impressive including 9 different Phyla and 54 Classes! All of those were found within the few hours we spent in the lab. Also on these slides were organisms from the Phyla Cercozoa and Ciliophora. Had we only found one kind of plankton or just leeches and snails then, as our guide stated, “the water would suck”.

Kingdom	Phylum	Class
Bacteria	Proteobacteria	Beggiatoa (genus)
	Cyanobacteria	Anabaena (genus); Cylindrospermum; Geitlerinema; Leibleinia; Merismopedia; Pseudanabaena
Plantae	Cholorphyta	Ankistrodesmus; Characium; Cladophora; Closterium; Cosmarium; Desmosdesmus; Echinosphaerella; Kirchneriella; Monoraphidium; Oedogonium; Pediastrum; Scenedesmus; Tetrastrum
Protista	Cercozoa	Testate Amoebae
	Ciliophora	Vorticella; Paramecia; Stentor
	Dinophyta	Gymnodinium
	Euglenophyta	Euglena; Lepocinclis; Phacus; Trachelomonas
Stramenopila	Bacillariophyta	Achnanthidium; Amphora; Aulocoseira; Bacillaria; Cocconeis; Cyclotella; Cymbella; Encyonema; Eunotia; Frustulia; Gomphonema; Gyrosigma; Hippodonta; Melosira varians; Navicula; Nitzschia; Pinnularia; Placonceis; Planothidium; Pseudostaurosira; Sellaphora; Stephanodiscus; Surirella; Synedra; Tryblionella; Ulnaria
	Chrysophyta	Dinobryon
	Synurophyta	Synura
	Tribophyta	Centritractus

THE VISITOR CENTER

Pure water made on site

While taking a break from identifying organisms, our guide gave us a tour of the Visitor Center which includes the research center for Old Woman Creek. Our guide had taken water samples from our trip in the morning to do chemical testing on. Chemical testing gives pulse data for a water system, meaning that the information is only applicable to a single moment in time. The water this morning had a pH of 7. The water from the beach (where we did the fish seine) had a dissolved oxygen level of 6.3. That reading had been taken in the morning before the sun came out. The dissolved oxygen level of the sample taken during the canoe trip later morning (after the influence of the sun) was 8.3. The research center is set up to do routine monitoring of the watershed area. There are devices to concentrate the algae to obtain counts of plankton, harmful blooms, etc. and they make pure H2O on site (using city water to wash containers or something similar can obscure the water sample and cause less accurate readings).  Other research instruments and containers are in rooms throughout the research station from past and current research projects.

Sunday at Old Woman’s Creek:

MAGEE’S MARSH AND SHELDON MARSH

On our last day at Old Woman’s Creek we visited two separate marshes: Magee’s Marsh and Sheldon Marsh. Unfortunately, 92% of Ohio’s wet lands have been destroyed which has ruined many crucial habitats for animals such as birds, fish, and plankton.  At these marshes we observed several different types of plants and some interesting animals. We saw how much of an impact Phragmites australis and Typha angustifolia has had on the marshes in this area. These plants have taken over vast areas of the marsh leaving less room for the native cattails, Typha latifolia, and other native plants to grow.