Species Composition and Diversity of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Greasy Creek, Red Rock Creek and the Arkansas River

Abstract

One hundred taxa of benthic macroinvertebrates were collected on artificial substrate samplers at seven stations in three streams between March 1975 and January 1976. Two-thirds of the taxa were Diptera, Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera. Sixty-two were collected in Greasy Creek, 64 in Red Rock Creek and 63 in the Arkansas River. Numbers of taxa and density were generally low in late autumn and winter, probably reflecting the low temperatures. Maximum density occurred at most stations in early autumn, resulting in low values of species diversity. Numbers of taxa and species diversity did not reflect high conductivity or low oxygen concentration in Greasy Creek. Although numbers of taxa and values of diversity were generally similar in the creeks and the river, density was considerably greater in the river.