
Hyalella azteca
Photo by Barbara Albrecht
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Hyalella
azteca is a 1/8- to 1/4-inch-long crustacean commonly
found in lakes, ponds, and streams throughout North America. They are
an important link in the aquatic food chain and a food source for several
predators, including fish and various invertebrates.
Pesticides such as pyrethroids from residential runoff have recently been
discovered to kill Hyalella. Low numbers of aquatic organisms, like Hyalella and Ceriodaphnia, is an indication of poor water quality. |