Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange
Abstract
Samples of star duckweed (Lemna trisulca L.) were collected from a South Dakota prairie wetland during the summer 1981. Amphipods and gastropods were the dominant macroinvertebrates found within samples of duckweed in terms of biomass and density. Cladocera were the dominant microinvertebrates found in association with star duckweed. Significant variability was found in the biomass and densities of specific invertebrates with respect to sampling dates. Crude protein values of star duckweed-invertebrate community samples ranged from 7.6 to 18.5% and were found to correlate significantly with protein levels of the duckweed. Crude protein values for star duckweed ranged from 7.1 to 17.0%. Highest protein values were detected during the early part of the sampling period. Protein values for amphipods, gastropods, and Odonata were found to be substantially higher than that of duckweed. Significant associations were found between the biomass and protein content of duckweed and the biomass and densities of specific invertebrates. Amphipoda, Pleidae, Cladocera, Copepoda, Ostracoda, and Hydrazoa were among the invertebrates found associated with star duckweed
