![]() ![]() While historically, Unionidae, or the freshwater pearly mussels dominated the benthos of eastern North America ( Parmalee & Bogan, 1998) they are a rare find in Cobb County, Georgia today. (2008) determined the most common fish species were the large-scale stoneroller ( Campostoma oligolepis), banded scuplin ( Coitus carolinae), and bluegill ( Lepomis macrochirus).Īccording to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division’s biodiversity portal rarer benthic species in my county include Sculptured Pigtoe ( Cyclonaias infucata), Bluestripe Shiner ( Cyprinella callitaenia), Delicate Spike ( Elliptio arctata), Cherokee Darter (Etheostoma scotti), Lined Chub ( Hybopsis lineapunctata), Gulf Moccasinshell (Medionidus penicillatus), Shoal Bass (Micropterus cataractae) and Highscale Shiner (Notropis hypsilepis). However, the watershed is home to 76 species of fish. Therefore, my local benthos has fewer species than would be found outside a metropolitan area. ![]() The study also found that as urban land cover increased there was reduced species richness. (2005) determined that 70 percent of fish species found within the Etowah River Basin, which includes a portion of Cobb County, were the sunfish family (Centrarchids), darters (Subfamily Etheosomatidae) and Minnows and Carps (Family Cyprinid). It is worth noting some of these species may only occupy the benthos for a period.Īn Asian Clam ( Corbicula fluminea). Benthic species I have observed in my area (Cobb County, Georgia) include the Asian Clam ( Corbicula fluminea), larval brook salamanders ( Eurycea sp.), common sunfishes ( Lepomis sp.), the Chattahoochee Crayfish ( Cambarus howardi), caddisfly larva (Order Trichoptera), damselflies and dragonflies larval (Order Megaloptera), mayfly larva (Order Ephemeroptera), dragonflies and damselfly larval (Order Odonata), aquatic worms (phylum Annelida), Eastern Dobsonfly larval ( Corydalus cornutus), water snakes ( Nerodia sp.), longjaw minnow ( Ericymba amplamala), river Cooter ( Pseudemys concinna), true bugs (Order Hemiptera), true flies larval (Order Diptera), beetles (Order Coleoptera) and stonefly larval (Order Plecoptera). They include protozoa (like amoebas), sponges, cnidarians, flatworms, nematodes, isopods, crayfish, amphipods, mollusks, gastropods, leaches and aquatic worms, pelecypods, insects, and fish. Benthic organisms are remarkably diverse and vary with habitat. ![]()
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