Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A sampling device that quantitatively collects benthos in flowing or standing waters

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A hand-operated suction sampler designed to sample benthos from fine to coarse rocky substrata in standing and flowing waters is described. The suction sampler collected a similar number of taxa but more individuals from a flowing riffle than a modified Surber sampler. A critique of the suction sampler is presented, illustrating the suitability of the sampler for quantitative studies of streams with highly variable discharge or intermittency.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albrecht, M.-L., 1961. Ein Vergleich quantitativer Methoden zur Untersuchung der Macrofauna fliessender Gewasser. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 14: 486–490.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barmuta, L., 1984. A method for separating benthic arthropods from detritus. Hydrobiologia 112: 105–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, J. E., 1973. Limnology of a small Malayan river, Sungai Gombok. Monogr. Biol. 22: 1–485.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chadwick, J. W. & S. P. Canton, 1983. Comparison of multiplate and Surber samplers in a Colorado mountain stream. J. Freshwat. Ecol. 2: 287–292.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chutter, F. M., 1972. A reappraisal of Needham and Usinger's data on the variability of a stream fauna when sampled with a Surber sampler. Limnol. Oceanogr. 17: 139–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coffman, W. P., K. W. Cummins & J. C. Wuycheck, 1971. Energy flow in a woodland ecosystem. I. Tissue support trophic structure of the autumnal community. Arch. Hydrobiol. 68: 232–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crossman, J. S. & J. Cairns, Jr., 1974. A comparative study between two artificial substrate samplers and regular sampling techniques. Hydrobiologia 44: 517–522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cummins, K. W., 1962. An evaluation of some techniques for the collection and analysis of benthic samples with special emphasis on lotic waters. Am. Midl. Nat. 67: 477–504.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cummins, K. W., W. P. Coffman & P. A. Roff, 1966. Trophic relations in a small woodland stream. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 16: 627–638.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Pauw, N. & G. Vanhooren, 1983. Method for biological quality assessment of watercourses in Belgium. Hydrobiologia 100: 153–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drake, C. M. & J. M. Elliott, 1982. A comparative study of three air-lift samplers used for sampling benthic macro-invertebrates in rivers. Freshwat. Biol. 12: 511–533.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, J. M., 1977. Some methods for the statistical analysis of samples of benthic invertebrates. Sci. Publ. Freshwat. biol. Ass., 2nd Edn. No. 25, 156 pp.

  • Elliott, J. M. & C. M. Drake, 1981a. A comparative study of seven grabs used for sampling benthic macroinvertebrates in rivers. Freshwat. Biol. 11: 99–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, J. M. & C. M. Drake, 1981b. A comparative study of four dredges used for sampling benthic macroinvertebrates in rivers. Freshwat. Biol. 11: 245–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, J. M. & P. A. Tullett, 1978. A bibliography of samplers for benthic invertebrates. Occ. Publ. Freshwat. biol. Ass. No. 4, 61 pp.

  • Elliott, J. M. & P. A. Tullett, 1983. A supplement to a bibliography of samplers for benthic invertebrates. Occ. Publ. Freshwat. biol. Ass. No. 20, 27 pp.

  • Frost, S., A. Huni & W. E. Kershaw, 1971. Evaluation of a kicking technique for sampling stream bottom fauna. Can. J. Zool. 49: 167–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furse, M. T., J. F. Wright, P. D. Armitage & D. Moss, 1981. An appraisal of pond-net samples for biological monitoring of lotic macroinvertebrates. Wat. Res. 15: 679–689.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gale, W. F. & J. D. Thompson, 1975. A suction sampler for quantitatively sampling benthos on rocky substrates in rivers. Trans. am. Fish. Soc. 104: 398–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hiley, P. D., J. F. Wright & A. D. Berrie, 1981. A new sampler for stream benthos, epiphytic macrofauna and aquatic macrophytes. Freshwat. Biol. 11: 79–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hynes, H. B. N., 1970. The ecology of running waters. Liverpool University Press, Liverpool, 555 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, R. A., K. R. Wade & E. Pugh, 1984. Macroinvertebrate-habitat relationships in the River Teifi catchment and the significance to conservation. Freshwat. Biol. 14: 23–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kroger, R. L., 1972. Underestimation of standing crop by the Surber sampler. Limnol. Oceanogr. 17: 475–478.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lavery, M. A. & R. R. Costa, 1972. Reliability of the Surber sampler in estimating Paragyractis fulicalis (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) populations. Can. J. Zool. 50: 1335–1336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Macan, T. T., 1958. Methods of sampling the bottom fauna in stony streams. Mitt. int. Ver. theor. angew. Limnol. 8: 1–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackie, G. L. & R. C. Bailey, 1981. An inexpensive stream bottom sampler. J. Freshwat. Ecol. 1: 61–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, W. T. Jr., C. I. Weber, P. A. Lewis & E. C. Julian, 1973. Factors affecting the performance of basket and multiplate macroinvertebrate samplers. Freshwat. Biol. 3: 409–436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meehan, W. R. & S. T. Elliott, 1974. Comparative effectiveness of the standard Surber sampler and a hydraulic modification for estimating bottom fauna populations. Prog. Fish. Cult. 36: 16–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merritt, R. W., K. W. Cummins & V. H. Resh, 1978. Collecting, sampling and rearing methods for aquatic insects. In R. W. Merritt & K. W. Cummins (eds.), An introduction to aquatic insects of North America. Kendall-Hunt Publishing Co., Dubuque, Iowa: 13–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minshall, G. W., J. T. Brock & T. W. LaPoint, 1982. Characterization and dynamics of benthic organic matter and invertebrate functional feeding group relationships in the Upper Salmon River, Idaho (USA). Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 67: 793–820.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minshall, G. W., R. C. Petersen, K. W. Cummins, T. L. Bott, J. R. Sedell, C. E. Cushing & L. Vannote, 1983. Interbiome comparison of stream ecosystem dynamics. Ecol. Monogr. 53: 1–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mundie, J. H., 1971. Sampling benthos and substrata materials down to 50 microns in size, in shallow streams. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 28: 849–860.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naiman, R. J. & J. R. Sedell, 1979. Benthic organic matter as a function of stream order in Oregon. Arch. Hydrobiol. 87: 404–422.

    Google Scholar 

  • Needham, P. R. & R. L. Usinger, 1956. Variability in the macrofauna of a single riffle in Prosser Creek, California, as indicated by the Surber sampler. Hilgardia 24: 385–409.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearson, R. G., M. R. Litterick & N. V. Jones, 1973. An air-lift for quantitative sampling of the benthos. Freshwat. Biol. 3: 309–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pugsley, C. W. & H. B. N. Hynes, 1983. A modified freeze-core technique to quantify the depth distribution of fauna in stony streambeds. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 40: 637–643.

    Google Scholar 

  • Resh, V. H., 1979. Sampling variability and life history features: basic considerations in the design of aquatic insect studies. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 36: 290–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roby, K. B., J. D. Newbold & D. C. Erman, 1978. Effectiveness of an artificial substrate for sampling macroinvertebrates in small streams. Freshwat. Biol. 8: 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, D. M., 1978. Practical sampling of freshwater macrozoobenthos: a bibliography of useful texts, reviews, and recent papers. Can. Fish. mar. Serv. tech. Rep. 790, 15 pp.

  • Rosenberg, D. M. & V. H. Resh, 1982. The use of artificial substrates in the study of freshwater benthic invertebrates. In J. Cairns Jr. (ed.), Artificial substrates. Ann Arbor Science Publishers Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan: 175–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Surber, E. W., 1934. A quantitative net for collecting bottom animals in streams. Wash. Bur. Fish.: 1–4.

  • Surber, E. W., 1936. Rainbow trout and bottom fauna production in one mile of stream. Trans. am. Fish. Soc. 66: 193–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, D. D., 1981. Evaluation of a standpipe corer for sampling aquatic interstitial biotopes. Hydrobiologia 83: 257–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zar, J. H., 1974. Biostatistical analysis. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 620 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoology Department, Monash University, Clayton, 3168, Victoria

    A. J. Boulton

Authors
  1. A. J. Boulton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Boulton, A.J. A sampling device that quantitatively collects benthos in flowing or standing waters. Hydrobiologia 127, 31–39 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004661

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00004661

Keywords

Search

Navigation