Aquatic biodiversity in Illinois springs

Seven springs in S Illinois were studied to obtain baseline data on their hydrogeology, water chemistry, and the spatial and temporal distribution of their fauna and flora. Over 85 taxa of animals and two species of plants were collected. Turbullarians and amphipods were the most abundant organisms throughout the year, although the oligochaete worms with 24 taxa proved to be the most diverse group of organisms. Varichaetadrilus angustipenis, a rare species in Illinois, was recorded from six of the seven springs. The collection of Allonais paraguayensis in Old Driver Spring was the most interesting of the taxa collected. -from Authors