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Morse, J.C., Stark, B.P., McCafferty, W.P. and Tennessen, K.J. (1997) Southern Appalachian and Other Southeastern Streams at Risk: Implications for Mayflies, Dragonflies, and Damselflies, Stoneflies, and Caddisflies. In: Benz, G.W. and Collins, D.E., Eds., Aquatic Fauna in Peril: The Southeastern Perspective, No. 1, Southeast Aquatic Research Institute, 17-42.

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Effects of Microcystis aeruginosa on New Jersey Aquatic Benthic Macroinvertebrates

  AUTHORS: Stephanie Beck, Meiyin Wu

  KEYWORDS: Cyanobacteria, Harmful Algal Bloom, Aquatic Benthic Macroinvertebrate, Microcystis aeruginosa

  JOURNAL NAME: Advances in Microbiology, Vol.11 No.3, March 22, 2021

  ABSTRACT: As increases in anthropogenic eutrophication and climate change contribute to more severe and frequent cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in freshwater ecosystems worldwide, understanding the effects and consequences cyanobacterial blooms have on aquatic organisms is crucial. Microcystis aeruginosa isone of the most common cyanobacteria taxa found in cyanobacterial blooms, producing a number of toxins including Microcystins. This study examined the effects of Microcystis aeruginosa on aquatic benthic macroinvertebrates, specifically the pollution intolerant taxa Ephemeroptera, the pollution moderately intolerant taxa Zygoptera, and the pollution tolerant taxa Chironomidae. In a controlled lab environment, macroinvertebrates were exposed to approximately 100,000 cells/ml of Microcystisaeruginosa. The survival percentage was lower for macroinvertebrates exposed to Microcystis aeruginosain all three tolerance groups(p0.001)while corresponding with the pollution tolerance levels of the species. Mayflies had a survival percentage of 38% in the treatment groups compared to a 98% survival percentage for control groups. Damselflies had a 43% survival percentage in the treatment groups compared to a 98% survival percentage in the control groups. Midges had a 72% survival percentage in the treatment groups compared to a 100% survival percentage in the control groups.These findings support the notion that cyanobacterial blooms have deleterious effects on freshwater ecosystems and can affect aquatic food webs.