|
What are water fleas?
You may have been swimming in a lake some
time, some summer ago, and noticed small bugs making rippled on the water's surface. It is quite likely
that you were watching a water flea. Water fleas belong to the crustacean group - are related to crayfish
and shrimp - and are not actually fleas at all. They were probably dubbed fleas because of the way that
they hop through water. You will find this jointed-limbed creature in fresh water. They are mostly transparent
and their bodies are encased in a thin, flat shell-like covering. You may also want to learn about the
spiny water flea as well.
The water flea is often found in nutrient rich fresh water,
mostly lakes but often some rock pools with a high amount
of freshwater run-off. They reproduce in the summertime and
have the ability to do so without fertilization, or pathenogenically.
They give birth to live young. Then, some eggs form into males,
which will fertilize the eggs in females. These then become
"winter eggs".
Because we can see right through the water flea, it
is easy to examine their bodily functions. We know that they
have two sets of antenna, one underneath for swimming through
the lakes they often inhabit. They can breathe in the oxygen
present in the water through their thin shells.
The
water flea feeds on small green algae. Their tiny jaws allow
the algae to be ground up before eating with the help of their
ten feet. The water flea serves as a meal for creatures such
as small fish, salamanders and other small reptiles, and aquatic
insects.
Water
fleas do not affect humans in the same way that normal fleas
do. As in, these guys do not attack and bite us. The water
flea does play a huge part in the circle of life however.
Many types of fish that we eat feed upon water fleas when
they are young. Although it is a common misconception that
the water flea is like our tiny pet biter, it is not like
it any way other than the hopping.
|
