Scientific Paper: The Ecology of the Mayfly Nymph Ephemerella invaria (rotunda) in a Recovering Limestone Spring Creek
by
Eugene P. Macri Jr.

A Working Draft

This paper is in many parts. This is a working draft.  Your comments are invited.  The mayfly nymph Ephemerella invaria (formerly known as E. rotunda) is one of the most important mayflies for both fly fishermen and aquatic scientists.  The mayfly nymph has extremely low tolerances for pollution and low oxygen, therefore it is an indicator of excellent water quality. If it is absent or its numbers reduced it tells both the fly angler and scientist the stream is in trouble.

Because the mayfly nymph inhabits all current speeds and substrates it is one of the most important mayflies in stream ecology for understanding what is happening in the ecosystem. This paper explores the history of the mayfly in Big Spring as it relates to other spring creeks as well as the effect the hatchery had on the populations and the return of the mayfly to the stream.

I will publish the rest of the paper in video intervals over the next month or so.