Aquatic Life

Copepods with Marbled Salamader larvae [Ambystoma opacum]. On a December day with temperatures in the 30's and water temeratures not much higher, this vernal pool was alive with activity. 10's of thousands of Copepods were swarming in the water, some joined in mating, and providing a necessary food source for Marbled Larvae, who were observed gorging themselves on these tiny crustaceans. Something that I had never witnessed before, and their stomachs were packed full of these amazing creatures as you can see, which is a good for the larvae as there is plenty of winter and cold ahead. ThIs pool was very active indeed! Dauphin County, Pa. 12-19-24

Female Eastern Fairy Shrimp showing eggs developing in her brood pouch. [Eubranchipus vernalis]

Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis].

The beauty of Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis].

The beauty of Eastern Fairy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis]. As we have seen a great food source for Marbled Salamander larvae

Female Eastern Fariy Shrimp [Eubranchipus vernalis] with developing eggs in her brood pouch. Pa. 2-6-24. One of the main foods for Ambystoma larvae.

Look close to see a Marbled Larva [Ambystoma opacum] in a sea of newly hatched Fairy Shrimp. When Fairy Shrimp first hatch they tend to be this redish color, All the Marbled Larvae that I photographed this day in my photographic tank, their stomachs were swollen red with Fairy Shrimp [Eastern Fairy Shrimp Eubranchipus vernalis]. Video taken by Hunter Kauffman

Mayfly Nymph [Ephemeroptera sp] . Coos County, N.H.

Female Common Crayfish [Cambarus bartonii bartonii]. Tioga County, Pa. 12-7-23 [Above & Below]