The Effects of Depth, pH, Depth of Light Penetration, and Area on Backswimmer (Hemiptera Notonectidae) Distribution in Seasonal Ponds of the Florida Scrub
Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
McCord, Elzie
Keywords
Backswimmers, Seasonal Pond, Lake Wales Ridge
Area of Concentration
Biology
Abstract
Backswimmers (Hemiptera: Notonectidae) are small, predacious Hemipterans. It is not known what factors affect the distributions of the five species of Notonectidae present at Archbold Biological Station in Lake Placid, Florida. Depth, pH, the depth of light penetration, and area are known to influence Notonectidae distribution among lakes and ponds in different locations throughout the world. This thesis shows that each of these factors influence only one of the species of Notonectid studied. Other factors, such as vegetation density, may play a role. Competition within the ponds may also be reduced by other mechanisms such as size differentiation.
Recommended Citation
Rhodes, Elena M., "The Effects of Depth, pH, Depth of Light Penetration, and Area on Backswimmer (Hemiptera Notonectidae) Distribution in Seasonal Ponds of the Florida Scrub" (2003). Theses & ETDs. 3296.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3296