Current and Long-Range
Current Goals
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Complete the mounting and identification of aquatic oligochaetes already collected from the Park
Forward specimens of branchiobdellidans [ 4-7 species ], Enchytraeidae [ 3-5 species ], and
Lumbriculidae [ 2-4 species ] to colleagues for assistance with identification
Complete the sorting and georeference labeling of non-annelid macroinvertebrates; forward to
specialists currently involved with this ATBI project
Return to Park in 2006 to continue surveys for aquatic Oligochaeta in streams, springs, seeps, and caves, with emphasis on low-gradient streams and wetland habitats
Collect crayfishes (Decapoda) from all habitats, to obtain branchiobdellidans (worms closely related to oligochaetes that are ectocommensal on host crayfishes); this focus is in anticipation of successful funding from the National Science Foundation to study this group - those occurring in the Park, regionally, and globally
Work with GIS analyst to develop an interactive map this project website
> > > Integrate site locality information with pictures, water quality data, and species list
Continue involvement with public outreach and educational opportunities in the Park, as time permits
Long-Range Goals
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Return to Park in 2006-2008 to continue / complete surveys for aquatic Oligochaeta
Re-survey sites from which rare, interesting, immature taxa have been collected, and those
previously yielding few if any oligochaetes
Identify aquatic oligochaetes collected by other biologists working in the Park
Transfer project-related data to ATBI databases
Demonstrate collecting / processing methodologies to other biologists working in the Park
Participate in educational outreach opportunities with both young and mature audiences
Publish results in peer-reviewed journals
This research adheres as closely as possible to the tenets of the ATBI Science Plan, available as a downloadable PDF (Adobe Acrobat Reader is necessary to open and read this document).
Please familiarize yourself with the site navigation bar a the bottom of this page; from there you can access numerous aspects of this research on aquatic oligochaetes in the Park, including site locality information and map of the Park; field and lab methodologies; progress; links to sponsors of this research; an acknowledgment page recognizing the numerous people whose collective assistance has been instrumental in the conduct of this research; publications and presentations summarizing progress on this research; a literature cited section (full citations for references in the text of webpages associated with this website); and short-and long-term goals of this project.
I also encourage you to visit the Discover Life in America, Inc. (DLIA) website for additional information on the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) program, the administrative staff of DLIA, summaries of ongoing research, and opportunities for public involvement in research and education in the Park. Please Note: The new DLIA / ATBI website has been expanded extensively over the last year; please visit and familiarize yourself with its own 'virtual' diversity of information and resources!
page update: 3 September 2006