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Investigator(s): Mark J. Wetzel, Associate Research Biologist, Illinois Natural History Survey Center for Biodiversity, 172 N.R.B., MC-652, 607 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 61820
The class Oligochaeta represents the most diverse and widely distributed group of annelids in freshwater habitats in North America. Over 200 species of freshwater oligochaetes representing 13 families and over 74 genera are known to occur in North America; of these, at least 10 families, 58 genera, and nominal 120 species are known or thought likely to occur in the southeastern U.S. No published papers, specifically, have summarized the distribution of aquatic oligochaetes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP; the Park), although two papers have provided limited distributional information for a few taxa.
I received two small grants (1999, 2000) from the Discover Life In America, Inc. (DLIA), supporting research within the scope and objectives of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) program. These funds supported the survey of 27 stream sites and three spring sites for aquatic Oligochaeta. Subsequent to preparation of a literature review, a preliminary checklist of aquatic and terrestrial annelids known to occur in the states adjacent to the Park was established on the World Wide Web: < http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu:80/~mjwetzel/AqAnnel.GSMNP.html > This site includes summaries of field work conducted in 1999 and 2000, collecting locality information, field and laboratory methodologies, status of samples and specimens, and pertinent literature. To date, 11 species representing 8 genera and four families of aquatic oligochaetes have been documented from the Park -- all represent new Park records, and one represents a new state record for North Carolina.
Funds received in March 2001 will support the collection and identification of aquatic oligochaetes from 10-14 sites in the GSMNP during April 2001, and a similar number of sites again in September 2001. Specifically, streams and springs draining to the north, located in the NE part of the Park (between Gatlinburg and Cosby), and similar habitats located in the SW area of the Park (Abrams Creek basin, and minor drainages away from the Park located along the south and south-western boundaries that now flow into the Chilhowee Lake / Calderwood Lake / Cheoah Lake / Little Tennessee River system; these are located between the town of Chilhowee (west) and Fontana Dam (east).
Mark J. Wetzel, Associate Research Biologist
Illinois Natural History Survey Center for Biodiversity
172 N.R.B., MC-652, 607 E. Peabody Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
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