EducationSLIDES/ART


Slides

1a - 6 1a - 6
7 - 14 7 - 14
15 - 22 15 - 22
23 - 30 23 - 30
31 - 38 31 - 38
39 - 46 39 - 46
47 - 54 47 - 54
55 - 62 55 - 62
63 - 70 63 - 70
71 - 78 71 - 78
Vernal Pool Slides

These pages have 80 slides accompanied by a description. This is not a slide program but rather a collection of slides and information. If you would like to view a slide program assembled from these slides, go to the slide program index.

63. Isopod. Isopods such as the common Asellus can be abundant in the decaying leaves on the bottom of a vernal pool. They feed on bacteria, fungi and dead organic matter such as leaves.
64. Wolf spider. The wolf spider is not an aquatic animal but may be found on vegetation in and on the edges of vernal pools. This female is carrying her egg case attached to the underside of her abdomen. She is being predated by the mites commonly found in wetlands.
65. Backswimmer. Both adult and nymph (shown) backswimmers hang upside down from the water surface film. They feed on other invertebrates and small vertebrates and will either pursue or ambush their prey.
66. Diving beetle larva and tadpole. A number of species of diving beetle lay their eggs in vernal pools as well as other wetlands. Both the larvae and the adults are predators which feed on other invertebrates and small vertebrates such as this spring peeper tadpole..
67. Dragonfly nymph. Over 200 species of dragonfly are found in Massachusetts and all lay their eggs in water, in many cases vernal pools. Some species are specific to vernal pools. Dragonfly nymphs are predatory on pool animals including amphibian larvae and insects.
68. Damselfly nymph. Damselfly nymphs develop in a variety of waters including vernal pools. Like the dragonfly nymphs, they are predatory on insects and other small invertebrates.
69. Water scorpion. A wetland predator, the water scorpion feeds on small organisms it grasps in its raptorial front legs. It then pierces their body and sucks the juices.
70. Giant water bug. Giant water bugs are fierce predators on invertebrates and small vertebrates. Adults overwinter in streams and deep water returning to pools in May. The male carries the eggs on his back until they hatch.

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