Amphipods

Amphipods are small (half inch) crustaceans related to shrimp and crayfish and are extremely common (if largely overlooked) inhabitants of the detritus of spring runs and pond bottoms in our area. Feeding on smaller inhabitants of their world these creatures are an extremely important component of our aquatic environments since they're close to the base of nearly all aquatic food chains. Like most denizens of their world these little creatures are active year-round - even under ice - which serves to remind me, at least, that there's life out there even in the dead of winter.

Offsite Links:

• Amphipod Homepage, Old Dominion University
• University of Tromsø Amphipod Homepage

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