|
“Spiny Water Flea” (Bythotrephes
cederstroemi)
The spiny water flea, Bythotrephes (bith-o-TREH-feez)
cederstroemi, a small predacious crustacean, has an average length slightly larger than 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) of which 70% is a
long, sharp, barbed tail spine. First introduced into the Great Lakes ecosystem in 1984 via ballast
water that was discharged into Lake Huron, they have spread to all of the Great Lakes by 1987
and currently infect inland lakes in Michigan and Southern Ontario. Their rapid reproduction,
general lack of predators and direct competition with young fish for food yields them the potential
to alter the food webs of the Great Lakes.
For More Information Visit
U.S. Geological Survey
Keywords: Bythotrephes
Source: “Spiny Tailed Bythotrephes in the Great Lakes” 1991. The Great Lakes Sea Grant Network
Slide. Lindgren, J. “Single Bythotrephes showing egg sac”, Minnesota DNR (on NIS site) |
