Invertebrate Faunas and Crawfish Food Habits in Louisiana Crawfish Ponds
Aquatic invertebrate fauna and crawfish (Procambarus spp.) stomachs were sampled monthly (October 1981-April 1982) in a crawfish pond dominated by rice (Oryza sativa). Invertebrate fauna only was sampled during the same period in a nearby pond dominated by alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides), a perennial, semi-aquatic forb. Macroinvertebrates were affected by the gradual disappearance of rice stubble in the rice pond. Clinging insects such as dragonfly naiads and mayfly nymphs were abundant when vegetation was present but were replaced by small, bottom dwelling crustaceans (...
