CRITTER TALK

Daniel Call1, John Stewart2, Michael Willis3, Brad Clarke4, Nicole Essman1 and 
Benjamin Breitbach1
1Department of Natural & Applied Sciences, 2Office of Vice President for 
Academic Affairs, 3 Office of Technology, 4Department of Education, University 
of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA 52001

Critter Talk is a 9-minute compact disc video presentation designed for viewing 
by the general public.  This video focuses on two macroinvertebrate species that 
are resident to the Upper Mississippi River in the Dubuque, IA, area.  The 
burrowing mayfly (Hexagenia bilineata) is a species that is commonly encountered 
during the time of its emergence and ephemeral adult existence in late June or 
early July.  The glass shrimp (Palaemonetes kadiakensis) is a less commonly 
encountered benthic species that inhabits portions of the river with slow 
current and macrophyte beds.  Various aspects of the biology of these two 
species are presented, and the use of these species as indicators of ecosystem 
health is discussed.  Their presence in a given stretch of river indicates that 
basic ecological requirements for their survival, such as adequate levels of 
dissolved oxygen, have been met.  Information on their positions in the aquatic 
food web, and their   roles in the bioaccumulation of certain chemicals in 
different food chains, is also presented.

Keywords:  macroinvertebrates, video, Hexagenia bilineata, Palaemonetes 
kadiakensis,
                   public education