freshwater & land invertebrates
Go to "invertebrates" in the freshwater directory for additional resources - 25+ subjects & 200+ links
Click on a subject on this page ...
About Invertebrates
List of Melbourne Invertebrates
References
About Invertebrates
Invertebrates, animals without backbones, cover an extensive variety of animals, making up an enormous 99% of all animal species.
Invertebrates were the first and the simplest of animals in evolutionary history. Many primitive invertebrates still exist today such as sponges, which lack bodily tissues and organs.
The phyla Arthropoda, which have external skeletons, such as spiders, insects and crustaceans are a gigantic group of animals.
Invertebrates play many complex and vital roles in the function of ecosystems.
The larvae of Dragonflies and Damselflies of Melbourne are water-dwelling insects, feeding off other insects, tadpoles and even some fish. They likewise provide an important food source for other aquatic animals. They are often sensitive to changes in water quality and temperature.
List of Melbourne Invertebrates
Bull Ants (Myrmecia sp.)
Casuarina Moth (Mimoscopa sp.)
Chironomids (Chironomidae)
Chrysomids (Chrysomelidae)
Cup Moth (Limacodidae)
Damselfly
Dragon Fly
Emperor Moths (Opodiphthera eucalypti)
Freshwater Mussel (Corbiculina sp.)
Black Field Cricket (Gryllidae)
Hunting Wasp (Pompilidae)
Imperial White Butterfly (Delias harpalyce)
Leaf Nest Spider
Meadow Argus Butterfly (Junonia villida)
Mistletoe Moth (Comocrus behrii)
Psyllid (Psyllidae)
Sawfly (Pieridae)
Shrimp
Swift Moth (Hepiadlidae)
Tree Cricket (Tettigonidae)
Water Snail (Phydisae)
Water Striders (Gerridae)
Water Boatman (Corixidae)
Xenica Butterfly (Geitoneura)
Yabbies (Cherax destructor)
Yellow-winged Grasshopper (Gastrimarcus musicus)
References
:: Marshall, Brett & Bainbridge, Brian. Creek Life: flora and fauna of the Merri Creek Valley, Merri Creek Management Committee, East Brunswick, Victoria 1995.
:: Peter H. Raven & George B. Johnson. Biology, Times Mirror / Mosby College Publishing 1989.
:: Australian Museum Online "Dragonflies & Damselflies"
home :: contact
:: back to top »
Copyright
© Aliey Ball (freshwater.net.au) 2006
disclaimer