Major
Environmental Science
Anticipated Graduation Year
2020
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
Apocorophium lacustre is a filter-feeding amphipod tolerant of a range of salinity that has been present in the Illinois River since 2005. The distribution and spread of A. lacustre is of concern as the Illinois River connects to Lake Michigan through the Chicago Area Waterway System. Consequently, this species may alter Great Lakes food webs through competition with native species. Our study investigates the current distribution of A. lacustre in the Des Plaines and Illinois Rivers to determine its proximity to Lake Michigan and potential for spreading to the Great Lakes. Distribution data was obtained during the summers of 2015-2019.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Dr. Reuben Keller, Assistant Professor, IES; Rachel Egly, Research Associate, IES
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Distribution of the Invasive Amphipod Apocorophium lacustre in the Des Plaines and Illinois Rivers
Apocorophium lacustre is a filter-feeding amphipod tolerant of a range of salinity that has been present in the Illinois River since 2005. The distribution and spread of A. lacustre is of concern as the Illinois River connects to Lake Michigan through the Chicago Area Waterway System. Consequently, this species may alter Great Lakes food webs through competition with native species. Our study investigates the current distribution of A. lacustre in the Des Plaines and Illinois Rivers to determine its proximity to Lake Michigan and potential for spreading to the Great Lakes. Distribution data was obtained during the summers of 2015-2019.