Loss of the Giant Salmonfly Pteronarcys californica and changes in stonefly diversity in the Provo River, Utah (Plecoptera)

Authors

Jackson Birrell, Brigham Young University
C. Riley Nelson, Brigham Young University

Keywords

giant, salmonfly, pteronarcys californica, stonefly, provo river

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

Abstract

Plecoptera (stoneflies) are important insects in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. They cover a wide array of functional feeding groups and provide various ecosystem services (1). Stoneflies are sensitive to reductions in water quality, allowing managers to use their presence or absence to denote if a watershed is healthy or impaired. They are therefore known as bioindicators of stream health (2). Plecoptera are also appreciated by fly fisherman throughout the world. Despite their ecological, conservational and cultural importance, stoneflies are in decline. Their sensitivity to anthropogenic disturbances including pollution, river damming, urbanization and climate change make them particularly vulnerable and have lead to reductions in their diversity and distribution in recent years (3,4). Several stonefly species have even gone extinct (5).

Recommended Citation

Birrell, Jackson and Nelson, C. Riley (2018) "Loss of the Giant Salmonfly Pteronarcys californica and changes in stonefly diversity in the Provo River, Utah (Plecoptera)," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2018: Iss. 1, Article 139.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2018/iss1/139