i

In cooperation with the 

St. Johns River Water Management District 

Aquatic Community, Hydrologic, and WaterQuality Data for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and 

Wekiva Springs, Central Florida, 1931-2006 

By Stephen J. Walsh and Sharon E. Kroening 

Open-File Report 2007-1135 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

U.S. Geological Survey 
 ii

U.S. Department of the Interior 

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Mark D. Myers, Director 

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2007 

Revised and reprinted: 2007 

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its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: 

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov 

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS 

Suggested citation: 

Walsh, S.J., and S.E. Kroening, 2007, Aquatic community, hydrologic, and water-quality 

data for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, central Florida, 1931-2006: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1135, 50 p. 

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not 

imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the 

individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this 

report.
 iii

Contents 

Abstract .......................................................................................................................... 1 

Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1

Purpose and Scope...................................................................................................... 2 

Description of the Study Area ...................................................................................... 2 

Methods ....................................................................................................................... 3

Hydrologic Data Compilation..................................................................................... 4 

Water-Chemistry Data Collection and Analysis........................................................ 4 

Aquatic Community Data Collection and Analysis ................................................... 4 

Acknowledgments..................................................................................................... 6 

Hydrologic, Water-Quality, and Aquatic Community Data .............................................. 7 

References Cited ............................................................................................................ 8
 iv

Figures 

1. Map showing location of Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, central Florida. 

2-12. Graphs showing: 

2. Periodic discharge measurements from Apopka Spring, 1971-2005. 

3. Weekly discharge data from Bugg Spring, 1990-2005. 

4. Periodic discharge measurements from Rock Springs, 1931-2006. 

5. Continuous and periodic discharge data from Wekiva Springs, 1932-2006. 

6. Metrics used to calculate the Stream Condition Index (SCI) for benthic macroinvertebrates collected 

by dip net from Bugg Spring, December 2005-September 2006. 

7. Metrics used to calculate the Stream Condition Index (SCI) for benthic macroinvertebrates collected 

by dip net from Rock Springs, December 2005-September 2006. 

8. Metrics used to calculate the Stream Condition Index (SCI) for benthic macroinvertebrates collected 

by dip net from Wekiva Springs, December 2005-September 2006. 

9. Shannon diversity index (H’, log base 2) and evenness (J’) by season for benthic macroinvertebrate 

assemblages collected by dip net from Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, December 2005-

September 2006. 

10. Richness of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa collected by pooled replicate ponar grabs (n=3-4) by 

season for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs. 

11. Shannon diversity index (H’, log base 2) and evenness (J’) by season for benthic macroinvertebrate 

assemblages collected by pooled ponar grabs (n=3-4) from Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, 

December 2005-September 2006. 

12. Abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates (all taxa combined) collected by pooled replicate ponar 

grabs (n=3-4) by month for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs. 

13. Dendogram showing hierarchial clustering of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages by pooled 

replicate samples per date and spring, using group average of 4th-root transformed Bray-Curtis 

similarity. 

14. Plot showing non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) of benthic macroinvertebrate 

assemblages collected by petite ponar dredge at Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, 

December 2005-September 2006. 

15-16. Graphs showing: 

15. Total number of fish species collected at Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs. 

16. Number of species by family of fishes collected at Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs. 
 v

Tables 

Table 1. Physicochemical data for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs on dates that benthic 

macroinvertebrate assemblages were collected. 

Table 2. Physicochemical measurements, and phytoplankton chlorophyll a and pheophytin a

concentrations at Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, December 2005-September 2006. 

Table 3. Cumulative taxonomic list of benthic macroinvertebrates collected by dip net and petite ponar 

dredge from Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, December 2005-September 2006. 

Table 4. Number of specimens (n) and percent composition (%) of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa 

collected by dip net from Bugg Spring, December 2005-September 2006. 

Table 5. Number of specimens (n) and percent composition (%) of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa 

collected by dip net from Rock Springs, December 2005-September 2006. 

Table 6. Number of specimens (n) and percent composition (%) of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa 

collected by dip net from Wekiva Springs, December 2005-September 2006. 

Table 7. Stream Condition Index (SCI) metrics for benthic macroinvertebrates collected by dip net from 

Bugg Spring, December 2005-September 2006. 

Table 8. Stream Condition Index (SCI) metrics for benthic macroinvertebrates collected by dip net from 

Rock Springs, December 2005-September 2006. 

Table 9. Stream Condition Index (SCI) metrics for benthic macroinvertebrates collected by dip net from 

Wekiva Springs, December 2005-September 2006. 

Table 10. Taxon richness (S), Shannon diversity index (H’ log2, H’ log10), evenness (J’), and Florida Index 

values for benthic macroinvertebrates collected by dip net in Bugg, Rock and Wekiva springs, 

December 2005-September 2006. 

Table 11. Density (as number of organisms per taxon per square meter, n/m2), and percent by density 

(%) of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa by pooled petite ponar grabs from Apopka Spring, 

December 2005-September 2006. 

Table 12. Density (as number of organisms per taxon per square meter, n/m2), and percent by density 

(%) of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa by pooled petite ponar grabs from Bugg Spring, December 

2005-September 2006. 

Table 13. Density (as number of organisms per taxon per square meter, n/m2), and percent by density 

(%) of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa by pooled petite ponar grabs from Rock Springs, 

December 2005-September 2006. 

Table 14. Density (as number of organisms per taxon per square meter, n/m2), and percent by density 

(%) of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa by pooled petite ponar grabs from Wekiva Springs, 

December 2005-September 2006. 

Table 15. Taxon richness (S), number of organisms per square meter (n/m2), Shannon diversity index 

(H’ log2, H’ log10), evenness (J’), and Florida Index values for benthic macroinvertebrates collected 

by petite ponar grab in Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, December 2005-September 

2006. 

Table 16. Fishes (total number of specimens, n; percent composition per sample, %) collected by boat 

electroshocker in vicinity of Apopka, Bugg, Wekiva, and Rock springs. 
 vi

Conversion Factors

Multiply By To obtain 

Length 

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm) 

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm) 

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m) 

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km) 

Area 

square inch (in2) 6.452 square centimeter (cm2) 

square foot (ft2) 0.0929 square meter (m2) 

square mile (mi2) 259.0 hectare (ha) 

square mile (mi2) 2.590 square kilometer (km2) 

Flow rate 

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s) 

million gallons per day (Mgal/d) 0.04381 cubic meter per second (m3/s) 

 

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows: 

°F=(1.8×°C)+32 

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows: 

°C=(°F-32)/1.8 

Acronymns and Abbreviations 

LPIL lowest practicable identification level 

μm micron 

MFL’s minimum flows and levels 

mm millimeter 

SCI stream condition index 

SJRWMD St. Johns River Water Management District 

USGS U.S. Geological Survey 

WAR Water and Air Research 
 1

Aquatic Community, Hydrologic, and Water 

Quality Data for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and 

Wekiva Springs, Central Florida, 1931-2006 

By Stephen J. Walsh and Sharon E. Kroening 

Abstract 

This report summarizes aquatic community, hydrologic, and water-quality data collected or 

compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs from 

October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2006. Aquatic community data are summarized for quarterly collections 

of benthic macroinvertebrates, and fishes collected during one sampling event per spring. Hydrologic data 

for each spring were compiled from the USGS, St. Johns River Water Management District, and a private 

landowner. Water-quality data collected by the USGS consisted of quarterly physicochemical, chlorophylla, and pheophytin-a measurements; water-quality data were collected on the same days that benthic 

macroinvertebrates were sampled. 

Introduction 

Florida’s springs and spring runs are renowned for their intrinsic beauty, importance as groundwater resources, and their cultural, recreational, and ecological significance (Rosenau and others 1977; Scott 

and others 2002, 2004). Threats to springs, in particular declining flow rates and increased nutrient and 

contaminant concentrations, have escalated over time as the human population of Florida expands and landuse patterns change. All of the ground water that discharges from the springs comes from the Floridan 

aquifer system that is the main source of water supply in central Florida. Projections by water managers of 

the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and ground-water flow models developed by 

the SJRWMD and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) indicate that increased pumping of ground water likely 

will result in decreased discharge from many of Florida’s springs. Nitrate concentrations have increased in 

many springs in central Florida over time (Spechler and Halford 2001; Phelps and others 2006), and 

pesticides and other organic compounds used by humans have been detected in the spring water (Phelps and 

others 2006). The ecological effects of decreased discharge and the presence of nutrients and contaminants 

are largely unknown because the aquatic ecosystems of many of the springs have received little study. 

This study was initiated to provide baseline data on the hydrology, water quality, and benthic 

macroinvertebrate and fish communities of selected springs in the SJRWMD. The primary objective of this 

study is to compile and collect comparative data that may be of value in evaluating interactions of flow, 
 2

water quality, and ecological conditions, especially as they relate to the establishment and/or assessment of 

Minimum Flows and Levels (MFL’s). The study was initiated in 2004 with the collection of 

physicochemical and biological data for De Leon, Gemini, Green, and Silver springs; results of those datacollection efforts were summarized by Phelps and others (2006). In 2006, data on physicochemical 

parameters, benthic macroinvertebrates, fishes, and chlorophyll-a and pheophytin-a concentrations were 

collected for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva Springs. 

Purpose and Scope 

This report summarizes data on aquatic communities (benthic macroinvertebrates and fishes) and 

water quality collected by the USGS at Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva Springs from October 1, 2005 to 

September 30, 2006. Hydrologic data were compiled for these springs from the USGS, SJRWMD, and a 

private landowner. This report is not intended to provide detailed analysis or interpretation of results; a more 

in-depth synopsis and scientific review is planned for a final project report (2008) that will summarize data 

for all springs included in the study. 

Description of the Study Area 

Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs are located in Lake County and northwest Orange 

County, Florida (fig. 1). Water from these springs discharges from the Floridan aquifer system. The climate 

in this area is subtropical and is characterized by warm, humid, rainy summers and temperate dry winters. 

The average annual rainfall in the study area is about 50 inches that primarily falls from June through 

September. Springs are classified on the basis of the amount of water which discharges from them. A second 

magnitude spring discharges from 10 to 100 cubic feet per second (6.5 to 65 million gallons per day). 

Apopka Spring is a second magnitude spring (median discharge: 27 ft3

/s) located at the southwest 

corner of Lake Apopka in an area referred to as the Gourd Neck, a narrow arm of Lake Apopka that curves 

northwesterly from the main body of the lake. The spring is accessible only by boat. The spring discharges 

from a bowl-shaped depression about 5 to 6 feet in diameter, and the vent opening is about 45 feet below the 

water surface of the lake. The spring emerges from an underground cave system; the vent opening narrows 

vertically downward into the limestone for 16 feet, and then it slopes northward at about 45° to a depth of 

90 feet as determined by cave divers. 

Bugg Spring is a second magnitude spring (median discharge: 12 ft3

/s) located about 0.4 miles 

northwest of Okahumpka on private property and is not accessible to the public. The spring is leased to the 

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory for underwater calibration of sonar systems. The spring has a deep, circular 

pool about 400 feet in diameter. Water discharges from a cave at the bottom of the spring pool at a depth of 

approximately 170 feet. The limestone walls of the spring pool are almost vertical and also reach a depth of 
 3

about 170 feet on all sides except the western shoreline. No boil is evident on the pool surface due to the 

substantial depth of the spring vent. The discharge from Bugg Spring flows into a spring run that flows into 

Lake Denham. 

Rock Springs is a second magnitude spring (median discharge: 58 ft3

/s) located in a county park 

approximately 6 miles north of Apopka. Spring water discharges from two partly submerged caves at the 

base of a 20-foot-high limestone and sand bluff. In contrast to most large springs in peninsular Florida, Rock 

Springs has no well-defined spring pool. Clear, blue water discharges from the caves with considerable 

velocity, which results in the initial part of the spring run being characterized by eroded limestone. Rock 

ledges jut out from the banks of the run for about 100 feet below the cavern opening. About 10 feet 

downstream from the cavern opening, additional water is discharged through a submerged opening in the 

channel bottom. Several hundred feet downstream of the spring cavern, part of the springflow is diverted 

from the spring run to a large swimming area mostly surrounded by concrete retaining walls. Overflow from 

the swimming area rejoins the run after passing through a concrete weir. Rock Springs and Rock Springs 

Run are within the boundaries of the Wekiva River Aquatic Preserve. 

Wekiva Springs is a second magnitude spring (median discharge: 68 ft3

/s) located about 4 miles 

northeast of Apopka. Wekiva Springs is also commonly referred to as Wekiwa Spring or Wekiwa Springs. 

Wekiva Springs is used herein in accordance with the Geographic Names Information System, U.S. Board 

on Geographic Names (http://geonames.usgs.gov/domestic/index.html). The spring pool and run are located 

within Wekiwa Springs State Park. Two areas of discharge in Wekiva Springs produce surface boils near the 

edge in the southeast half of the pool. The strongest boil is over a large irregular-shaped vent about 35 feet 

long by 5 feet wide in the limestone bottom about 15 feet below the surface. The other boil is above a rock 

ledge in the extreme southeast edge of the pool. Except for the limestone rock bottom in the southeast part of 

the pool, the pool bottom is mostly sand. The spring pool is kidney-shaped, about 200 feet long and 100 feet 

wide, elongated southeast. A sidewalk surrounds the pool and a wooden footbridge crosses the run 

immediately downstream of the pool. A 2 to 3-foot high retaining wall encloses the pool and extends a short 

distance down the run. The clear, bluish-green water flows northeasterly in a spring run that joins Rock 

Springs Run. The combined discharge from Rock and Wekiva springs forms the headwaters of the Wekiva 

River, a National Wild and Scenic River (Kroening 2004) and designated an Outstanding Florida Water by 

the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 

Methods 

The following sections describe the methods used to compile and collect the discharge, waterchemistry, and aquatic community data from the four springs. 
 4

Hydrologic Data Compilation 

Periodic discharge data from each of the four springs were compiled from databases maintained by 

the USGS, SJRWMD, and a private citizen. Daily-mean discharge data from Wekiva Springs were compiled 

from the SJRWMD database. The longest period of record of data was available for Rock and Wekiva 

springs. At these two springs, data collection began in the 1930’s, although most of the data were collected 

after 1970. Continuous monitoring of the discharge from Wekiva Springs was done by the SJRWMD since 

2003. The period of record of data from Apopka and Bugg springs was shorter compared to Rock and 

Wekiva springs. Discharge measurements from Apopka Spring began in 1971, although most of the data 

were collected after 1990. Weekly measurements of discharge from Bugg Spring have been made since 

1990. 

Water-Chemistry Data Collection and Analysis 

Basic physicochemical data (water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen 

concentration, and turbidity) were collected with a YSI 6920TM, YSI 600RTM, or Hydrolab QuantaTM 

submersible water-quality monitoring sonde, calibrated according to standard USGS protocol (U.S. 

Geological Survey 1997-2006) each day that measurements were made. Grab samples for chlorophyll-a and 

pheophytin-a analyses were collected quarterly from near the center of the Wekiva Springs and Bugg Spring 

runs immediately downstream of the vents. Water samples for chlorophyll-a and pheophytin-a analyses 

from Apopka Spring and Rock Springs Run were collected in the vicinity of the spring pool and swimming 

area, respectively. Samples were collected on 47 mm glass-fiber filters, wrapped in aluminum foil to prevent 

exposure to light, and kept frozen until analysis. Chlorophyll-a and pheophytin-a concentrations were 

determined by fluorescence at the USGS National Water-Quality Laboratory in Denver, Colorado according 

to Arar and Collins (1997). 

Aquatic Community Data Collection and Analysis 

Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected with a D-frame dip net (500 μm mesh, 0.3 m width) and 

WildcoTM petite ponar dredge. Sampling at Apopka Spring was limited to petite ponar dredge. Dip net 

sampling was based on a multihabitat approach as described by Barbour and others (1999); collections were 

made with this method to determine richness and diversity metrics and to calculate the Stream Condition 

Index (SCI: Barbour and others 1996b; Fore 2004; see below). Collections made with the petite ponar 

dredge were done to estimate abundance (density as organisms per square meter). Dip net collections and 

those using the petite ponar dredge followed standard operating procedures by the Florida Department of 
 5

Environmental Protection (FDEP 2004). Sampling was done downstream of main spring vents in those 

systems with a prominent spring run (Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva) or in close proximity to the boil (Apopka), 

in areas inferred to provide suitable conditions and habitats to support benthic macroinvertebrate 

communities based on substrate and prior studies (e.g., Barbour and others 1999). A dip net sample 

consisted of 20 sweeps taken from leaf packs, aquatic macrophytes (submersed and emergent), roots or 

undercut banks, sediment (muck or sand), rock, and woody snag habitats in proportion to the approximate 

percent coverage of each habitat type estimated visually. Each sweep consisted of collecting a 0.5 m section 

of substrate by scraping or jabbing the dip net, or the substrate was agitated manually or brushed in a manner 

to allow benthic macroinvertebrates and organic matter to flow into the net held stationary downstream. 

Material was rinsed through a series of sieves to remove coarse debris, vegetation, detritus and sediment. At 

each site and on individual sampling dates three replicate samples were taken with the petite ponar dredge. 

Rinsed dip net samples and the entire contents of each ponar grab (including substrate and benthic 

macroinvertebrates) were preserved in a 10 percent solution of formalin containing Rose Bengal dye. 

 Freshly preserved samples were transferred to the USGS laboratory in Gainesville, Florida, soaked 

and rinsed in water for 24-48 hours (following a fixation period of at least 2 days), and placed in a solution 

of 70 percent ethanol. Samples were delivered to Water and Air Research, Inc. (WAR) for identification and 

enumeration. Subsampling procedures were applied to randomly select a minimum target number of 100-

110 organisms per collection (Florida Department of Environmental Protection 2004). Taxonomic 

identifications were made to the lowest practicable identification level (LPIL). A voucher collection of 

representative taxa is maintained by WAR. 

Standard community metrics for benthic macroinvertebrates were calculated using 

proprietary statistical software (“Warstat”), PRIMERTM (version 6.1.6; Clarke and Warwick 2001; 

Clarke and Gorley 2006), and PC-ORDTM (version 5.0; McCune and Grace 2002; McCune and 

Mefford 2006). For individual dip net samples, data were collapsed for those organisms not 

identified to species level by apportioning their numbers to the next higher LPIL of similar taxa (for 

example, known genera or species) that were represented in the sample. Data from ponar samples 

were pooled for each set of replicates taken at an individual spring on the same date. 

The Stream Condition Index (SCI) is a multimetric index used to evaluate the relative 

condition of water quality in a water body based on characteristics of the benthic invertebrate 

community (Barbour and others 1996a, b). It is a summation of macroinvertebrate metrics that are 

responsive to environmental disturbance. The SCI has been slightly modified since established and 

currently includes the following core metrics: taxonomic richness; numbers of Ephemeroptera, 

Trichoptera, Tanytarsini, clinger taxa, long-lived taxa, sensitive taxa; and, percentages of filter 

feeders, dominant taxa, and very tolerant taxa (Fore 2004). The index is calibrated for ecoregions of 
 6

Florida and is normalized to a scale of 0 to 100 by multiplication by 0.9. Values for scores based on 

a single sample are: “good”=73-100; “fair”=46-73; “poor”=19-46; “very poor”=0-19. Details on the 

calculation of the SCI are provided in Florida Department of Environmental Protection Standard 

Operating Procedure LT7200, Stream Condition Index Determination (available online at: 

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/labs/qa/sops.htm). 

The Shannon diversity index, H' (Shannon 1948), was calculated as: 

n

n n f f

H

k

i

∑ i i

=

−

= 1

log log

'

where k is the number of categories, fi is the number of observations in category i, and n is sample 

size. For tabular purposes, H' was calculated using both logarithmic bases 10 and 2. The magnitude 

of H' is affected by distribution of data and number of categories; thus, the maximum possible 

diversity for a set of data consisting of k categories is: 

H ' log k max =

Evenness (Pielou1966) was calculated as: 

max '

' ' HH J =

The measure J' is unaffected by change in logarithmic base. Calculation of H' using logarithmic base 

2 was used for graphical presentation. Multiplication factors for converting among diversity 

measures using different logarithmic bases are provided in Zar (1999; table 4.1). 

Fishes were collected using an electroshocking boat equipped with a Smith-RootTM GPP 9.0 

controller. Frequency and voltage settings on the controller were adjusted in the range of 60-120 Hz 

and 100-680 volts to produce about 2-14 amps. Two netters at the front of the boat retrieved fish 

with dip nets and placed them in a live well. Large fish were identified, measured (total length, TL, 

in mm), and released near the site of capture. Small fish (less than about 75 mm) were fixed in a 10 

percent formalin solution and returned to the laboratory for identification and enumeration. 

Accessibility was limited in Bugg and Rock springs to the extent that electrofishing was conducted 

in downstream reaches of each spring run (downstream of the U.S. Navy fence at Bugg Spring, and 

downstream of the county park in Rock Springs Run). Voucher specimens of representative fishes 

were deposited at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, Florida. 

Acknowledgments 

Dr. Joseph and Margaret Branham provided access and canoes to sample at Bugg Spring and 

generously contributed considerable historical information about the spring. Mr. Joseph A. Rotarius assisted 
 7

with transporting equipment and personnel in Kelly Park (Rock Spring), and provided access to private 

residences in the downstream section of the spring run and assisted with electrofishing efforts. Mr. Dane 

Huge and Mr. J. Travis Smith assisted with electrofishing at all of the springs. Mr. Douglas A. Strom and 

Ms. Laura Linne provided expertise with taxonomic identification of invertebrates and data summation and 

analysis. Ms. Christine Fadeley contributed administrative assistance. 

 

Hydrologic, Water-Quality, and Aquatic Community Data 

Discharge data for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs are shown in Figures 2-5. Raw data 

are provided electronically as Appendix 1. Physicochemical data for each of the springs sampled on given 

dates are listed in Table 1. Chlorophyll-a and pheophytin-a measurements are listed in Table 2. A 

cumulative taxonomic list of benthic macroinvertebrates collected during this phase of the study is provided 

in Table 3. Summaries of invertebrate taxa as raw numbers per subsample and percent composition collected 

by dip net per spring and date are tabulated in Tables 4-6. Metrics used to calculate the SCI are provided in 

Tables 7-9 and Figures 6-8. Diversity indices for dip net samples are provided in Table 10 and Figure 9. 

Taxon richness for samples collected by petite ponar dredge are illustrated by spring and season in Figure 

10. Abundance metrics for organisms collected by petite ponar dredge are presented in Tables 11-14, with 

diversity indices for these samples provided in Table 15 and Figure 11. Total density of all organisms by 

pooled replicate ponar samples per spring and by season is illustrated in Figure 12. A comparison of all 

benthic macroinvertebrate collections based on fourth-root transformed Bray-Curtis similarity values is 

summarized as a hierarchical cluster dendrogram in Figure 13 and a non-metric multi-dimensional scaling 

(MDS) plot in Figure 14. Number of specimens and percent composition of fish species collected from each 

spring or spring run are summarized in Table 16. Taxonomic richness of fishes is presented in Figures 15-

16. 
 8

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Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chaps. A1-A9, available online at 

http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A. 

Zar, J.H., 1999, Biostatistical analysis, 4th edition,: Prentice-Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. 
 10

Table 1. Physicochemical data for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs on dates that benthic macroinverte

samples were collected. [DS, downstream; RB, right bank; LB, left bank].

Spring Location Date Time Depth (ft) Temp (°C) Specific Conductance (μS/cm) DO (mg/L) pH 

Apopka boil 12/30/2005 1530 27.9 18.6 297 6.8 8.0 Apopka boil 3/28/2006 --- 18.5 22.0 288 5.0 8.5 Apopka boil 3/28/2006 --- 14.9 22.1 288 5.0 8.5 Apopka boil 3/28/2006 --- 9.9 22.1 287 5.0 8.4 Apopka boil 3/28/2006 1237 4.9 22.4 285 4.8 8.4 Apopka boil 3/28/2006 1239 1.1 22.4 286 4.9 8.3 Apopka boil 7/13/2006 1013 22 23.9 266 2.7 7.9 Apopka boil 7/13/2006 1017 20 24.2 267 3.2 8.0 Apopka boil 7/13/2006 1019 15 24.4 271 3.4 8.0 Apopka boil 7/13/2006 1020 10 24.4 271 3.4 8.0 Apopka boil 7/13/2006 1022 5 24.7 283 4.3 8.2 Apopka boil 7/13/2006 1027 1 24.0 263 4.0 8.1 Apopka boil 9/21/2006 1440 22 24.4 265 2.5 8.0 Apopka boil 9/21/2006 1444 20 24.2 261 2.3 8.0 Apopka boil 9/21/2006 1446 15 24.2 262 2.3 8.0 Apopka boil 9/21/2006 1448 10 24.2 261 2.2 8.0 Apopka boil 9/21/2006 1450 5 24.4 262 2.5 8.0 Apopka boil 9/21/2006 1451 1 24.4 261 2.8 8.3 Bugg head of run 12/30/2005 1210 1.6 22.0 283 2.6 7.6 Bugg head of run 3/17/2006 1250 1 23.9 312 5.3 7.4 Bugg boil 7/12/2006 1040 25 23.2 311 0.6 7.3 Bugg boil 7/12/2006 1041 20 23.2 311 0.7 7.3 Bugg boil 7/12/2006 1043 15 23.2 311 0.8 7.3 Bugg boil 7/12/2006 1044 10 23.2 311 1.1 7.4 Bugg boil 7/12/2006 1046 5 23.6 310 4.8 7.7 Bugg boil 7/12/2006 1048 1 24.1 308 7.8 8.1 Bugg head of run 7/12/2006 1000 1 24.0 308 7.0 7.9 Bugg 150 ft DS 7/12/2006 0945 1 24.1 307 7.7 8.0 Bugg 300 ft DS 7/12/2006 0930 1 24.3 307 7.4 7.8 Bugg boil 9/21/2006 0926 24 23.4 315 1.4 7.4 Bugg boil 9/21/2006 0931 20 23.4 315 1.3 7.4 
 11

Table 1. Physicochemical data for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs on dates that benthic macroinverte

samples were collected. [DS, downstream; RB, right bank; LB, left bank].

Spring Location Date Time Depth (ft) Temp (°C) Specific Conductance (μS/cm) DO (mg/L) pH 

Bugg boil 9/21/2006 0933 15 23.4 314 2.0 7.5 Bugg boil 9/21/2006 0935 10 23.4 314 2.2 7.5 Bugg boil 9/21/2006 0937 5 23.5 314 2.4 7.5 Bugg boil 9/21/2006 0938 1 23.6 314 2.7 7.6 Bugg 300 ft DS 9/21/2006 1000 1 23.8 312 3.6 7.6 Bugg 450 ft DS 9/21/2006 1015 1 24.1 312 3.7 7.6 Bugg 600 ft DS 9/21/2006 1020 1 24.0 313 3.5 7.7 Rock boil 12/6/2005 1310 0.6 23.7 236 1.1 7.6 Rock swimming area 12/6/2005 1500 0.4 23.6 237 2.1 7.7 Rock lower section (end tube run) 12/6/2005 1615 0.4 23.4 237 2.8 7.7 Rock boil; 5 ft from RB 3/17/2006 1147 1.6 23.6 258 1.1 7.5 Rock boil; 10 ft from RB 3/17/2006 1149 1.7 23.7 258 1.0 7.6 Rock boil; 15 ft from RB 3/17/2006 1150 1.6 23.7 258 1.0 7.6 Rock boil; 20 ft from RB 3/17/2006 1152 1.5 23.7 258 1.0 7.6 Rock midreach; 3 ft from RB 3/17/2006 1242 2 23.8 257 2.1 7.8 Rock midreach; 6 ft from RB 3/17/2006 1244 2.1 23.8 257 2.2 7.8 Rock midreach; 10 ft from RB 3/17/2006 . 0.98 23.8 258 3.0 7.8 

Rock lower section; 5 ft from RB 3/17/2006 1335 1.5 24.0 250 4.1 8.0 Rock lower section; 10 ft from RB 3/17/2006 1337 1.5 24.1 257 4.1 8.0 Rock lower section; 15 ft from RB 3/17/2006 1339 1.7 24.1 258 3.7 8.0 Rock lower section; 20 ft from RB 3/17/2006 1341 1.7 24.1 258 3.6 8.0 Rock lower section; 25 ft from RB 3/17/2006 1342 1.3 24.1 258 3.7 8.0 Rock lower section; 30 ft from RB 3/17/2006 1344 0.4 24.1 258 3.7 8.0 Rock boil 6/21/2006 1117 0.4 23.7 265 0.9 7.5 Rock swimming area; RB footbridge 6/21/2006 1238 0.5 23.9 265 2.0 7.9 Rock swimming area; LB footbridge 6/21/2006 1242 0.5 23.9 265 2.1 8.0 Rock lower section (end tube run) 6/21/2006 1347 0.3 24.3 265 3.0 7.9 Rock boil 9/27/2006 0940 1.5 23.8 262 1.3 7.6 Rock swimming area; RB footbridge 9/27/2006 1100 1 23.9 262 2.4 7. 8 Rock swimming area; LB footbridge 9/27/2006 1105 1 23.9 262 2.3 7.8 Rock swimming area; steps 9/27/2006 1130 1 24.1 262 2.9 7.9 
 12

Table 1. Physicochemical data for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs on dates that benthic macroinverte

samples were collected. [DS, downstream; RB, right bank; LB, left bank].

Spring Location Date Time Depth (ft) Temp (°C) Specific Conductance (μS/cm) DO (mg/L) pH 

Rock lower section (end tube run) 9/27/2006 1210 1 24.2 262 3.5 8.0 Wekiva foot bridge 12/7/2005 1100 0.4 23.7 317 0.7 7.3 Wekiva foot bridge; 5 ft from RB 3/27/2006 1540 0.3 23.8 342 0.8 7.3 Wekiva foot bridge; 10 ft from RB 3/27/2006 1541 0.8 23.8 344 0.6 7.3 Wekiva foot bridge; 15 ft from RB 3/27/2006 1542 0.79 23.7 344 0.6 7.3 Wekiva foot bridge; 20 ft from RB 3/27/2006 1543 0.86 23.7 344 0.5 7.3 Wekiva foot bridge; 25 ft from RB 3/27/2006 1544 0.78 23.7 339 0.6 7.3 Wekiva foot bridge; RB 6/22/2006 1021 0.2 23.9 355 0.7 6.7 Wekiva foot bridge; middle 6/22/2006 1023 0.2 23.8 354 0.7 7.0 Wekiva foot bridge; LB 6/22/2006 1029 0.2 23.8 355 0.5 7.2 Wekiva foot bridge; 40 ft from LB 9/27/2006 1310 0.5 23.9 344 1.2 7.3 Wekiva foot bridge; center 9/27/2006 1312 1 23.9 344 1.2 7.3 Wekiva foot bridge; 60 ft from LB 9/27/2006 1315 1 23.9 344 1.1 7.3 
 13

Table 2. Physicochemical measurements, chlorophylla, and pheophytina concentrations at Apopka, Bugg, Rock

Wekiva springs, December 2005-September 2006 [Sp Cond, specific conductance in microsiemens per centimete

degrees Celsius; NTU, nephelometric turbidity unit; mg/L, milligrams per liter; μg/L, micrograms per liter]. 

Spring Date Time Turb (NTU) DO (mg/L) pH Sp Cond Temp (°C) Chlorophylla, phytoplankton (μg/L) Pheoph

phytop

(μg

Apopka Spring 12/30/2005 1530 18.4 5Apopka Spring 3/28/2006 1200 4.9 8.3 286 22.4 13.9 3Apopka Spring 7/13/2006 1030 0 4 7.9 263 24.0 5.9 1Apopka Spring 9/21/2006 1430 0.2 2.5 8 265 24.4 0.6 0Bugg Spring 12/30/2005 1210 0.7 0Bugg Spring 3/17/2006 1250 5.3 7.4 312 23.9 2.2 1Bugg Spring 7/12/2006 1000 2 7.4 7.9 307 24.1 41.2 24Bugg Spring 9/21/2006 1000 0.2 3.6 7.6 312 23.8 24.8 13Rock Springs 12/6/2005 1615 0.2 0Rock Springs 3/27/2006 1318 2.2 7.8 257 23.8 0.6 0Rock Springs 6/28/2006 1015 1.7 7.6 259 23.7 0.2 0Rock Springs 9/27/2006 1140 0 2.9 7.9 262 24.1 0.4 0Wekiva Springs 12/7/2005 1100 <0.1 <0Wekiva Springs 3/27/2006 1605 0.6 7.3 344 23.8 <0.3 <0Wekiva Spring 6/28/2006 0840 1.8 7.2 342 23.7 <0.1 <0Wekiva Springs 9/27/2006 1345 0 1.1 7.3 344 23.9 0.1 0
 14

Table 3. Benthic macroinvertebrates collected by dip net and petite ponar dredge from Apopka, 

Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, December 2005-September 2006. [Authorities are listed for 

lowest practicable identification level (LPIL) indicated. Taxa listed in approximate phylogenetic 

order by higher categories and alphabetically at genus and species level]. 

Class Order Family Taxa Authority 

 Porifera (LPIL) Grant 1836 

Demospongiae Haplosclerida Spongillidae Ephydatia sp. Lamouroux 1816 

Demospongiae Haplosclerida Spongillidae Spongilla sp. Lamarck 1816 

Hydrozoa Hydroida Hydridae Hydra sp.

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Allonais inaequalis Stephenson 1911 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Tubificidae Aulodrilus pigueti Kowalewski 1914 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Bratislavia unidentata (Harman 1973) 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Dero botrytis Marcus 1943 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Dero digitata (Müller 1773) 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Dero digitata complex (Müller 1773) 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Dero flabelliger (Stephenson 1931) 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Dero furcata (Müller 1773) 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Dero pectinata Aiyer 1930 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Dero sp. Okem 1815 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Dero trifida Loden 1979 

Oligochaeta Rhynchobdellida Glossiphoniidae Desserobdella phalera (Graf 1899) 

Oligochaeta Lumbriculida Lumbriculidae Eclipidrilus palustris (Smith 1900) 

Oligochaeta Lumbriculida Lumbriculidae Eclipidrilus sp. Eisen 1881 

Oligochaeta Rhynchobdellida Glossiphoniidae Glossiphoniidae (LPIL) Vaillant 1890 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Tubificidae Haber speciosus (Hrabe 1931) 

Oligochaeta Rhynchobdellida Glossiphoniidae Helobdella stagnalis Linnaeus 1758 

Oligochaeta Rhynchobdellida Glossiphoniidae Helobdella triserialis (Blanchard 1849) 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Tubificidae Ilyodrilus templetoni (Southern 1909) 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Tubificidae Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri Claparède 1862 

Oligochaeta Lumbriculida Lumbriculidae Lumbriculus sp. Grube 1844 

Oligochaeta Lumbriculida Lumbriculidae Lumbriculus variegatus (Müller 1774) 

Oligochaeta Rhynchobdellida Piscicolidae Myzobdella lugubris Leidy 1851 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Naidinae (LPIL)

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Nais communis complex Piquet 1906 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Nais elinguis Müller 1773 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Nais sp. Müller 1773 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Nais variabilis Piquet 1906 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Pristina leidyi Smith 1896 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Pristina sp. Ehrenberg 1828 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Tubificidae Psammoryctides convolutus Loden 1978 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Naididae Slavina appendiculata (D'udekem 1855) 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Tubificidae Spirosperma ferox Eisen 1879 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Tubificidae Spirosperma sp. Eisen 1879 

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Tubificidae Tubificidae immature sp. A (LPIL)

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Tubificidae Tubificidae immature sp. B (LPIL)

Oligochaeta Haplotaxida Tubificidae Varichaetadrilus angustipenis (Brinkhurst & Cook 1966) 

Hirudinea Arhynchobdellida Erpobdellidae Erpobdellidae (LPIL) Blanchard 1894 

Hirudinea Arhynchobdellida Erpobdellidae Erpobdella punctata (Leidy 1870) 

Hirudinea Arhynchobdellida Erpobdellidae Mooreobdella tetragon Sawyer and Shelley 1976 
 15

Table 3. Benthic macroinvertebrates collected by dip net and petite ponar dredge from Apopka, 

Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, December 2005-September 2006. [Authorities are listed for 

lowest practicable identification level (LPIL) indicated. Taxa listed in approximate phylogenetic 

order by higher categories and alphabetically at genus and species level]. 

Class Order Family Taxa Authority 

Turbellaria Tricladida Tricladida (LPIL)

Turbellaria Turbellaria (LPIL)

Gastropoda Architaenioglossa Ampullariidae Pomacea paludosa (Say 1829) 

Gastropoda Basommatophora Ancylidae Ancylidae (LPIL)

Gastropoda Basommatophora Ancylidae Hebetancylus excentricus (Morelet 1851) 

Gastropoda Basommatophora Ancylidae Laevapex peninsulae (Pilsbry 1903) 

Gastropoda Basommatophora Ancylidae Laevapex sp. Walker 1903 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Hydrobiidae Hydrobiidae (LPIL) Simpson 1865 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Hydrobiidae Amnicola dalli (Pilsbry and Beecher 1892) 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Hydrobiidae Aphaostracon monas (Pilsbry 1899) 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Hydrobiidae cf. Floridobia sp. Thompson and Hershler 

2002 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Hydrobiidae Floridobia wekiwae (Thompson 1968) 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Hydrobiidae cf. Notogillia wetherbyi (Dall 1885) 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Hydrobiidae Pyrgophorus platyrachis Thompson 1968 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Hydrobiidae Rissoidea (LPIL)

Gastropoda Basommatophora Planorbidae Planorbella scalaris (Jay 1839) 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Pleuroceridae Elimia floridensis (Reeve 1860) 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Thiaridae Melanoides tuberculata (Müller 1774) 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Thiaridae Melanoides turricula (Lea 1862) 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Thiaridae Melanoides sp. (immature) Olivier 1804 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Thiaridae cf. Tarebia sp. Adams and Adams 1854 

Gastropoda Neotaenioglossa Thiaridae cf. Thiaridae (LPIL)

Gastropoda Architaenioglossa Viviparidae Campeloma floridense Call 1886 

Gastropoda Architaenioglossa Viviparidae Viviparus georgianus (Lea 1834) 

Bivalvia Bivalvia (LPIL) Linnaeus 1758 

Bivalvia Veneroida Corbiculidae Corbicula fluminea Müller 1774 

Bivalvia Veneroida Pisidiidae Pisidiidae (LPIL) Gray 1857 

Bivalvia Veneroida Pisidiidae cf. Musculium sp. Link 1807 

Bivalvia Veneroida Pisidiidae Sphaerium striatinum (Lamarck 1818) 

Bivalvia Unionoida Unionidae Utterbackia imbecilis (Say 1829) 

Arachnida Acariformes Acariformes (LPIL)

Arachnida Acariformes Hydrodromidae Hydrodroma sp. Koch 1837 

Arachnida Acariformes Lebertiidae Lebertia sp. Neumann 1880 

Arachnida Acariformes Limnesiidae Limnesia sp. Koch 1835 

Arachnida Acariformes Pionidae Piona sp. Koch 1842 

Insecta Ephemeroptera Baetidae Callibaetis floridanus Banks 1900 

Insecta Ephemeroptera Caenidae Caenis diminuta Walker 1853 

Insecta Ephemeroptera Caenidae Caenis sp. Stephens 1835 

Insecta Ephemeroptera Leptohyphidae Tricorythodes albilineatus Berner 1946 

Insecta Odonata Coenagrionidae Argia sp. Rambur 1842 

Insecta Odonata Coenagrionidae Coenagrionidae (LPIL)

Insecta Odonata Coenagrionidae Enallagma sp. Charpentier 1840 

Insecta Odonata Corduliidae Macromia sp. Rambur 1842 

Insecta Odonata Libellulidae Perithemis tenera seminole (Say 1839) 
 16

Table 3. Benthic macroinvertebrates collected by dip net and petite ponar dredge from Apopka, 

Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, December 2005-September 2006. [Authorities are listed for 

lowest practicable identification level (LPIL) indicated. Taxa listed in approximate phylogenetic 

order by higher categories and alphabetically at genus and species level]. 

Class Order Family Taxa Authority 

Insecta Hemiptera Hebridae Merragata sp. White 1877 

Insecta Hemiptera Mesoveliidae Mesovelia mulsanti White 1879 

Insecta Hemiptera Mesoveliidae Mesovelia sp. (immature) Mulsant and Rey 1852 

Insecta Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Hydropsychidae (LPIL) Curtis 1835 

Insecta Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Cheumatopsyche sp. Wallengren 1891 

Insecta Trichoptera Leptoceridae Nectopsyche pavida (Hagen 1861) 

Insecta Trichoptera Polycentropodidae Cernotina sp. Ross 1938 

Insecta Diptera Ceratopogonidae Ceratopogonidae (LPIL)

Insecta Diptera Ceratopogonidae Bezzia-Palpomyia complex Brigham Kieffer 1899 (Bezzia); 

Meigen 1818 (Palpomyia) 

Insecta Diptera Ceratopogonidae Palpomyia-Sphaeromias group

Brigham 

Meigen 1818 (Palpomyia); 

Curtis 1829 (Sphaeromias) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Chironomidae (LPIL)

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Chironomini (LPIL)

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Beardius truncatus Reiss and Sublette 1985 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Chironomus sp. Meigen 1803 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Cladopelma sp. Kieffer 1921 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Cladotanytarsus cf. daviesi Epler Kieffer 1921 for genus 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Cladotanytarsus sp. A Epler Kieffer 1921 for genus 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Cryptochironomus sp. Kieffer 1918 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Dicrotendipes modestus (Say 1823) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Dicrotendipes neomodestus (Malloch 1915) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Dicrotendipes sp. Kieffer 1913 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Dicrotendipes sp. (immature) Kieffer 1913 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Einfeldia natchitocheae (Sublette 1964) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Glyptotendipes meridionalis group Dendy and Sublette 1959 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Glyptotendipes paripes (Edwards 1929) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Glyptotendipes sp. Kieffer 1913 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Goeldichironomus amazonicus (Fittkau 1965) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Goeldichironomus carus (Townes 1945) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Goeldichironomus sp. Fittkau 1965 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Parachironomus supparilis (Edwards date unknown) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Paralauterborniella nigrohalteralis (Malloch 1915) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Polypedilum flavum (Johannsen 1905) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Polypedilum halterale group Epler (Coquillett 1901) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Polypedilum illinoense group Epler (Malloch 1915) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Polypedilum scalaenum group Epler (Schrank 1803) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Polypedilum tritum (Walker 1856) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Pseudochironomus sp. Malloch 1915 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Rheotanytarsus sp. Bause and Thienemann 1913 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Stempellinella sp. A Epler Brundin 1947 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Stenochironomus sp. Kieffer 1919 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Tanytarsus sp. Wulp 1874 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Tanytarsus sp. C Epler Wulp 1874 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Tanytarsus sp. G Epler Wulp 1874 
 17

Table 3. Benthic macroinvertebrates collected by dip net and petite ponar dredge from Apopka, 

Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, December 2005-September 2006. [Authorities are listed for 

lowest practicable identification level (LPIL) indicated. Taxa listed in approximate phylogenetic 

order by higher categories and alphabetically at genus and species level]. 

Class Order Family Taxa Authority 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Tanytarsus sp. L Epler Wulp 1874 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Tanytarsus sp. T Epler Wulp 1874 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Tanytarsus sp. V Epler Wulp 1874 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Tribelos jucundum (Walker 1848) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Tribelos sp. Townes 1945 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Zavreliella marmorata Kieffer 1920 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Orthocladiinae (LPIL) Lenz 1921 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Cricotopus bicinctus (Meigen 1818) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Cricotopus politus (Coquillett 1902) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Pseudosmittia sp. Goetghebuer 1932 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Thienemanniella sp. Kieffer 1911 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Ablabesmyia rhamphe group Epler Sublette 1964 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Clinotanypus sp. Kieffer 1913 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Larsia decolorata (Malloch 1915) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Larsia sp. Wiedemann 1824 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Monopelopia boliekae Beck and Beck 1966 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Pentaneura inconspicua (Malloch 1915) 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Tanypus carinatus Sublette 1964 

Insecta Diptera Chironomidae Tanypus sp. Meigen 1803 

Insecta Diptera Tipulidae Tipulidae (LPIL)

Malacostraca Isopoda Asellidae Caecidotea racovitzai australis (W.D. Williams 1970) 

Malacostraca Isopoda Asellidae Caecidotea sp. Packard 1871 

Malacostraca Isopoda Sphaeromatidae Cassidinidea ovalis (Say 1818) 

Malacostraca Amphipoda Gammarida (LPIL) Latreille 1802 

Malacostraca Amphipoda Gammaridae Gammarus cf. tigrinus LeCroy Sexton 1939 

Malacostraca Amphipoda Gammaridae Gammarus sp. Fabricius 1775 

Malacostraca Amphipoda Hyalellidae Hyalella azteca Saussure 1858 

Malacostraca Decapoda Cambaridae Cambaridae (LPIL) Hobbs 1942 

Malacostraca Decapoda Palaemonidae Palaemonetes paludosus (Gibbes 1850) 

Malacostraca Decapoda Palaemonidae Palaemonetes sp. Heller 1869 

Malacostraca Decapoda Cambaridae Procambarus sp. (immature) Ortmann 1905 
 18

Table 4. Number of specimens (n) and percent composition (%) of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa 

collected by dip net from Bugg Spring, December 2005-September 2006. [Values represent material 

as subsampled by FDEP protocols for calculating the Stream Condition Index]. 

30 Dec 2005 17 Mar 2006 12 Jul 2006 21 Sep 2006 Taxon n % n % n % N % 

Aulodrilus pigueti 3 3.1 3 2.8 5 4.5 

Bratislavia unidentata 1 0.9 3 2.7 

Dero flabelliger 3 3.1 

Dero pectinata 2 2.1 

Glossiphoniidae (LPIL) 1 1.0 

Helobdella stagnalis 1 0.9 

Ilyodrilus templetoni 1 1.0 5 4.5 

Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri 3 6.7 8 8.2 8 7.4 10 9.1 

Nais communis complex 1 0.9 

Nais elinguis 1 0.9 

Pristina leidyi 1 0.9 

Spirosperma ferox 1 0.9 

Spirosperma sp. 5 4.5 

Tubificidae immature sp. A (LPIL) 2 4.4 

Erpobdellidae (LPIL) 1 2.2 

Mooreobdella tetragon 1 0.9 

Hebetancylus excentricus 1 0.9 

Laevapex sp. 1 2.2 

Planorbella scalaris 4 3.7 

Melanoides tuberculata 21 46.7 2 1.8 

Melanoides turricula 5 11.1 15 13.6 

Melanoides sp. (immature) 1 0.9 

Viviparus georgianus 3 6.7 2 1.8 

Bivalvia (LPIL) 3 2.8 

Corbicula fluminea 1 0.9 

Sphaerium striatinum 3 6.7 2 2.1 6 5.5 

Utterbackia imbecilis 1 2.2 

Acariformes (LPIL) 3 6.7 

Limnesia sp. 1 0.9 

Callibaetis floridanus 4 4.1 

Caenis diminuta 7 7.2 1 0.9 

Caenis sp. 2 1.8 

Coenagrionidae (LPIL) 1 0.9 

Mesovelia sp. (immature) 3 3.1 

Bezzia-Palpomyia group 3 2.8 

Palpomyia-Sphaeromias group 1 1.0 

Beardius truncatus 1 0.9 

Chironomus sp 1 2.2 5 5.2 3 2.8 7 6.4 

Cladotanytarsus sp. A Epler 1 1.0 1 0.9 

Cryptochironomus sp. 1 1.0 

Dicrotendipes modestus 9 9.3 

Dicrotendipes sp. 1 0.9 

Einfeldia natchitocheae 7 7.2 2 1.8 

Glyptotendipes sp. 1 2.2 

Parachironomus supparilis 1 1.0 
 19

Table 4. Number of specimens (n) and percent composition (%) of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa 

collected by dip net from Bugg Spring, December 2005-September 2006. [Values represent material 

as subsampled by FDEP protocols for calculating the Stream Condition Index]. 

30 Dec 2005 17 Mar 2006 12 Jul 2006 21 Sep 2006 Taxon n % n % n % N % 

Polypedilum illinoense group 1 1.0 

Polypedilum tritum 1 1.0 

Pseudochironomus sp. 1 0.9 

Tanytarsus sp. 2 1.8 

Tanytarsus sp. G Epler 20 20.6 1 0.9 

Tanytarsus sp. L Epler 2 2.1 

Zavreliella marmorata 2 2.1 

Clinotanypus sp. 1 1.0 

Larsia decolorata 5 4.6 

Monopelopia boliekae 1 1.0 

Tanypus carinatus 6 6.2 

Tanypus sp. 1 0.9 1 0.9 

Hyalella azteca 4 4.1 65 60.2 35 31.8 

Palaemonetes sp. 1 0.9 

Procambarus sp. (juvenile) 2 1.8 

Total 45* 100 97* 100 108 100 110 100 

Number of Taxa 12 26 22 22 

*failed to obtain target number of subsampled organisms (100-110) due to time constraints during sorting process.
 20

Table 5. Number of specimens (n) and percent composition (%) of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa 

collected by dip net from Rock Springs, December 2005-September 2006. [Values represent material 

as subsampled by FDEP protocols for calculating the Stream Condition Index].

6 Dec 2005 27 Mar 2006 21 Jun 2006 27 Sep 2006 Taxon n % n % n % n % 

Allonais inaequalis 2 1.8 

Bratislavia unidentata 1 0.9 1 0.9 

Dero digitata complex 3 2.7 

Helobdella stagnalis 1 0.9 

Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri 1 0.9 

Nais communis complex 6 5.5 

Pristina leidyi 1 0.9 

Tubificidae immature sp. A (LPIL) 2 1.8 1 0.9 

Hydrobiidae (LPIL) 12 10.6 

Amnicola dalli 40 35.4 56 50.9 24 21.8 76 69.1 

Pyrgophorus platyrachis 1 0.9 

Rissoidea (LPIL) 3 2.7 

Melanoides tuberculata 2 1.8 

Melanoides turricula 14 12.7 2 1.8 

cf. Tarebia sp. 1 0.9 

cf. Thiaridae (LPIL) 2 1.8 

Hydrodroma sp. 1 0.9 

Lebertia sp. 8 7.3 1 0.9 

Limnesia sp. 1 0.9 

Tricorythodes albilineatus 1 0.9 1 0.9 

Argia sp. 1 0.9 

Enallagma sp. 2 1.8 

Merragata sp. 1 0.9 

Mesovelia mulsanti 1 0.9 

Hydropsychidae (LPIL) 4 3.6 

Chironomidae (LPIL) 1 0.9 

Chironomus sp. 1 0.9 7 6.4 

Cryptochironomus sp. 1 0.9 

Dicrotendipes modestus 3 2.7 

Dicrotendipes neomodestus 9 8.2 

Paralauterborniella nigrohalteralis 1 0.9 

Polypedilum flavum 6 5.5 1 0.9 

Polypedilum scalaenum group 2 1.8 6 5.5 7 6.4 2 1.8 

Polypedilum tritum 2 1.8 

Pseudochironomus sp. 4 3.6 2 1.8 

Stempellinella sp. A Epler 1 0.9 

Tanytarsus sp. 1 0.9 

Tanytarsus sp. C Epler 1 0.9 7 6.4 6 5.5 

Tanytarsus sp. G Epler 

Tanytarsus sp. L Epler 2 1.8 

Cricotopus bicinctus 2 1.8 

Cricotopus politus 1 0.9 

Thienemanniella sp. 1 0.9 

Pentaneura inconspicua 1 0.9 

Tipulidae (LPIL) 1 0.9 
 21

Table 5. Number of specimens (n) and percent composition (%) of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa 

collected by dip net from Rock Springs, December 2005-September 2006. [Values represent material 

as subsampled by FDEP protocols for calculating the Stream Condition Index].

6 Dec 2005 27 Mar 2006 21 Jun 2006 27 Sep 2006 Taxon n % n % n % n % 

Cassidinidea ovalis 1 0.9 

Gammarus cf. tigrinus LeCroy 15 13.3 12 10.9 7 6.4 1 0.9 

Gammarus sp. 6 5.3 

Hyalella azteca 17 15.0 7 6.4 11 10.0 3 2.7 

Palaemonetes paludosus 6 5.3 1 0.9 3 2.7 

Total 113 100 110 100 110 100 110 100 

Number of Taxa 18 14 25 16 
 22

Table 6. Number of specimens (n) and percent composition (%) of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa 

collected by dip net from Wekiva Springs, December 2005-September 2006 [Values represent 

material as subsampled by FDEP protocols for calculating the Stream Condition Index].

7 Dec 2005 27 Mar 2006 22 Jun 2006 27 Sep 2006 Taxa n % n % n % n % 

Dero digitata complex 3 2.7 

Helobdella stagnalis 3 2.2 1 0.9 

Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri 2 1.5 

Naidinae (LPIL) 1 0.7 

Nais communis complex 4 3.6 

Nais elinguis 1 0.9 

Nais variabilis 1 0.9 

Pristina sp. 1 0.7 

Tubificidae immature sp. A (LPIL) 4 3.0 1 0.9 4 3.6 3 2.7 

Tricladida (LPIL) 2 1.8 

Turbellaria (LPIL) 3 2.7 

Hydrobiidae (LPIL) 15 11.2 

Amnicola dalli 61 45.5 30 27.3 64 58.2 

Aphaostracon monas 4 3.0 2 1.8 72 65.5 

Planorbella scalaris 1 0.7 

Melanoides turricula 3 2.2 

Melanoides sp. (immature) 1 0.9 

Caenis diminuta 9 6.7 30 27.3 11 10.0 1 0.9 

Enallagma sp. 2 1.8 

Chironomus sp. 5 3.7 2 1.8 1 0.9 

Cladopelma sp. 3 2.2 1 0.9 

Cladotanytarsus cf. daviesi Epler 1 0.9 

Dicrotendipes sp. (immature) 4 3.6 

Polypedilum halterale group 1 0.9 

Stenochironomus sp. 1 0.7 

Tanytarsus sp. 

Tanytarsus sp. C Epler 1 0.9 

Tanytarsus sp. T Epler 2 1.5 27 24.5 4 3.6 19 17.3 

Tribelos sp. 1 0.7 

Pseudosmittia sp. 1 0.9 

Caecidotea racovitzai australis 2 1.5 

Caecidotea sp. 3 2.2 1 0.9 1 0.9 

Hyalella azteca 13 9.7 6 5.5 9 8.2 4 3.6 

Total 134 100 110 100 110 100 110 100 

Number of Taxa 19 13 11 12 
 23

Table 7. Stream Condition Index (SCI) metrics for benthic macroinvertebrates collected by dip net from Bugg December 2005-September 2006 [Calculated scores are based on computations for the Florida peninsula; raw 

are adjusted to 0 or 10 to obtain the corrected score as per FDEP standard operating procedures. Total SCI sc

to nearest integer]. 

6 DEC 05 17 MAR 06 12 JUL 06 

SCI METRIC Raw Score Raw Score Raw Score 

Total taxa 11 -2.00 26 4.00 22 2.40 

Corrected total taxa 0.00 4.00 2.40 

Ephemeroptera taxa 0 0.00 2 4.00 1 2.00 

Corrected Ephemeroptera taxa 0.00 4.00 2.00 

Trichoptera taxa 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 

Corrected Trichoptera taxa 0.00 0.00 0.00 

% filterer 9.30 2.13 19.10 4.64 1.40 0.10 

Corrected % filterer 2.13 4.64 0.10 

Long-lived taxa 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 2.50 

Corrected long-lived taxa 0.00 0.00 2.50 

Clinger taxa 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 

Corrected Clinger taxa 0.00 0.00 0.00 

% dominance 46.70 1.66 20.60 7.59 60.20 -1.41 

Corrected % dominance 1.66 7.59 0.00 

% Tanytarsini 0.00 0.00 23.70 9.72 0.90 1.95 

Corrected % Tanytarsini 0.00 9.72 1.95 

Sensitive taxa 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 

Corrected sensitive Taxa 0.00 0.00 0.00 

% Very tolerant taxa (VTT) 75.50 -0.58 38.10 1.06 19.30 2.66 

Corrected VTT 0.00 1.06 2.66 

Subsampling Factor 0.02777 0.83330 0.04167 

Total SCI Score 4 34 13 
 24

Table 8. Stream Condition Index (SCI) metrics for benthic macroinvertebrates collected by dip net from Rock December 2005-September 2006 [Calculated scores are based on computations for the Florida peninsula; raw 

are adjusted to 0 or 10 to obtain the corrected score as per Florida FDEP standard operating procedures. Tota

rounded to nearest integer]. 

6 DEC 05 27 MAR 06 21 JUN 06 

SCI METRIC Raw Score Raw Score Raw Score 

Total taxa 15 -0.40 14 -0.80 25 3.60 

Corrected total taxa 0.00 0.00 3.60 

Ephemeroptera taxa 0 0.00 1 2.00 1 2.00 

Corrected Ephemeroptera taxa 0.00 2.00 2.00 

Trichoptera taxa 0 0.00 0 0.00 1 1.43 

Corrected Trichoptera taxa 0.00 0.00 1.43 

% filterer 0.91 -0.02 0.00 -0.26 8.20 1.85 

Corrected % filterer 0.00 0.00 1.85 

Long-lived taxa 1 2.50 1 2.50 1 2.50 

Corrected long-lived taxa 2.50 2.50 2.50 

Clinger taxa 1 1.25 0 0.00 1 1.25 

Corrected Clinger taxa 1.25 0.00 1.25 

% dominance 46.00 1.82 50.90 0.70 21.80 7.32 

Corrected % dominance 1.82 0.70 7.32 

% Tanytarsini 2.70 3.96 0.90 1.95 6.40 6.07 

Corrected % Tanytarsini 3.96 1.95 6.07 

Sensitive taxa 1 1.11 1 1.11 1 1.11 

Corrected sensitive Taxa 1.11 1.11 1.11 

% Very tolerant taxa (VTT) 2.70 6.81 16.30 3.05 22.90 2.26 

Corrected VTT 6.81 3.05 2.26 

Subsampling Factor 0.00694 0.27800 0.01389 

Total SCI Score 19 13 33 
 25

Table 9. Stream Condition Index (SCI) metrics for benthic macroinvertebrates collected by dip net from Wek

December 2005-September 2006. [Calculated scores are based on computations for the Florida peninsula; raw 

>10 are adjusted to 0 or 10 to obtain the corrected score as per FDEP standard operating procedures. Total SCrounded to nearest integer]. 

6 DEC 05 27 MAR 06 22 JUN 06 

SCI METRIC Raw Score Raw Score Raw Score 

Total taxa 15 -0.40 13 -1.20 11 -2.00 

Corrected total taxa 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Ephemeroptera taxa 1 2.00 1 2.00 1 2.00 

Corrected Ephemeroptera taxa 2.00 2.00 2.00 

Trichoptera taxa 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 

Corrected Trichoptera taxa 0.00 0.00 0.00 

% filterer 0.77 -0.06 13.76 3.27 2.30 0.33 

Corrected % filterer 0.00 3.27 0.33 

Long-lived taxa 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 

Corrected long-lived taxa 0.00 0.00 0.00 

Clinger taxa 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 

Corrected Clinger taxa 0.00 0.00 0.00 

% dominance 48.50 1.25 17.30 8.34 65.50 -2.61 

Corrected % dominance 1.25 8.34 0.00 

% Tanytarsini 1.50 2.78 24.50 9.81 4.50 5.17 

Corrected % Tanytarsini 2.78 9.81 5.17 

Sensitive taxa 0 0.00 1 1.11 0 0.00 

Corrected sensitive Taxa 0.00 1.11 0.00 

% Very tolerant taxa (VTT) 17.50 2.88 9.90 4.17 4.50 5.84 

Corrected VTT 2.88 4.17 5.84 

Subsampling Factor 0.03009 0.45800 0.01389 

Total SCI Score 10 32 15 
 26

Table 10. Taxon richness (

S), Shannon diversity index (H ́log2, H ́log10), evenness (J ́), and Florida Index value

macroinvertebrates collected by dip net in Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, December 2005-September 200on subsampled, upward-collapsed data of dip net collections and thus not normalized to entire sample (see Ta

subsampling factors)]. 

Spring Date S H ́log2 H ́log10 J ́ Florida Index 

Bugg 12/30/2005 12 2.718 0.818 0.758 0 

3/17/2006 26 4.089 1.231 0.870 2 7/12/2006 22 2.551 0.768 0.572 1 9/21/2006 22 3.520 1.060 0.789 0 

Rock 12/6/2005 18 3.060 0.921 0.734 5 

3/27/2006 14 2.471 0.744 0.649 3 6/21/2006 25 4.006 1.206 0.863 8 9/27/2006 16 1.948 0.586 0.487 0 

Wekiva 12/7/2005 19 2.965 0.892 0.698 4  3/27/2006 13 2.627 0.791 0.710 1  6/22/2006 11 1.901 0.572 0.550 2  9/27/2006 12 2.052 0.618 0.572 4 
 27

Table 11. Density (as number of organisms per taxon per square meter, n/m2), and percent by density (%) of 

macroinvertebrate taxa by pooled petite ponar grabs from Apopka Spring, December 2005-September 2006 based on 3 ponar grabs in December and 4 ponar grabs from March-September]. 

30 Dec 2005 28 Mar 2006 13 Jul 2006 

Taxon 

n/m2 % n/m2 % n/m2 % 

Spongilla sp. 86 0.99 

Dero trifida 86 0.99 Desserobdella phalera 57 0.41 Eclipidrilus palustris 259 2.40 Helobdella stagnalis 115 0.83 Helobdella triserialis 517 4.80 Myzobdella lugubris 57 0.41 Pristina leidyi Psammoryctides convolutus 172 1.60 Tubificidae immature sp. A (LPIL) 216 2.48 Tricladida (LPIL) 345 2.50 1379 12.80 Turbellaria (LPIL) Hydrobiidae (LPIL) Amnicola dalli 86 0.99 431 4.00 cf. Floridobia sp. 172 1.60 cf. Notogillia wetherbyi 86 0.80 

Planorbella scalaris 86 0.80 Melanoides tuberculata 259 2.40 Bivalvia (LPIL) 86 0.80 Pisidiidae (LPIL) cf. Musculium sp. 86 0.80 

Perithemis tenera seminole 57 0.41 Chironomus sp. 86 0.99 

Glyptotendipes meridionalis group 

Glyptotendipes paripes 402 2.91 Goeldichironomus amazonicus 115 0.83 Caecidotea racovitzai australis 14 0.10 Caecidotea sp. 72 0.52 86 0.99 690 6.40 

Hyalella azteca 12572 91.06 8060 92.58 6552 60.81 

Total 13806 100 8706 100 10775 100 

Number of Taxa 10 7 13 
 28

Table 12. Density (as number of organisms per taxon per square meter, n/m2), and percent by density (%) of 

macroinvertebrate taxa by pooled petite ponar grabs from Bugg Spring, December 2005-September 2006 [Rare based on 3 ponar grabs per sampling event].

30 Dec 2005 17 Mar 2006 12 Jul 2006 21 Se

Taxon 

n/m2 % n/m2 % n/m2 % n/m2 

Porifera (LPIL) 230 

Ephydatia sp. 115 Dero digitata 805 Dero sp. 690 Dero trifida 29 0.88 Helobdella stagnalis 172 5.81 Helobdella triserialis 345 Ilyodrilus templetoni 402 13.59 431 13.14 86 0.82 690 Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri 718 24.26 101 3.08 402 3.85 Naidinae (LPIL) 230 Spirosperma ferox 546 5.23 Spirosperma sp. 230 Tubificidae immature sp. A (LPIL) 690 23.32 532 16.22 1494 14.31 2644 Tubificidae immature sp. B (LPIL) 144 4.87 172 1.65 Erpobdella punctata 172 5.81 Mooreobdella tetragon 29 0.88 115 Tricladida (LPIL) 115 1.10 Ancylidae (LPIL) 144 4.39 Hebetancylus excentricus 115 3.89 345 3.30 Amnicola dalli 115 Melanoides tuberculata 29 0.98 575 5.51 1724 Melanoides sp. (immature) 805 Viviparus georgianus 316 10.68 Bivalvia (LPIL) 129 1.24 Pisidiidae (LPIL) 230 7.01 Sphaerium striatinum 115 3.89 144 4.39 Piona sp. 230 7.01 Caenis diminuta 29 0.88 Palpomyia-Sphaeromias group 259 7.90 172 1.65 Chironomus sp. 144 4.39 86 0.82 
 29

Table 12. Density (as number of organisms per taxon per square meter, n/m2), and percent by density (%) of 

macroinvertebrate taxa by pooled petite ponar grabs from Bugg Spring, December 2005-September 2006 [Rare based on 3 ponar grabs per sampling event].

30 Dec 2005 17 Mar 2006 12 Jul 2006 21 Se

Taxon 

n/m2 % n/m2 % n/m2 % n/m2 

Dicrotendipes modestus 86 0.82 

Dicrotendipes sp. (immature) 259 7.90 

Einfeldia natchitocheae 230 7.01 Goeldichironomus carus 57 1.93 Goeldichironomus sp. 115 

Tanytarsus sp. G Epler 101 3.08 Zavreliella marmorata 230 7.01 Hyalella azteca 29 0.98 158 4.82 6149 58.88 920 Cambaridae (LPIL) 86 0.82 

Total 2959 100 3280 100 10443 100 9773 

Number of Taxa 12 17 14 15 
 30

Table 13. Density (as number of organisms per taxon per square meter, n/m2), and percent by density (%) of 

macroinvertebrate taxa by pooled petite ponar grabs from Rock Springs, December 2005-September 2006 [Ron 3 ponar grabs per sampling event].

6 Dec 2005 27 Mar 2006 21 Jun 2006 

Taxon 

n/m2 % n/m2 % n/m2 % 

Hydra sp. 57 1.07 

Allonais inaequalis Dero digitata Dero furcata Dero sp. 

Eclipidrilus palustris 14 0.56 Eclipidrilus sp. 

Haber speciosus 43 0.81 Helobdella stagnalis Ilyodrilus templetoni Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri 172 6.89 29 0.33 43 0.81 Lumbriculus sp. 129 2.42 

Lumbriculus variegatus 14 0.56 14 0.16 Naidinae (LPIL) Nais communis complex 43 0.81 

Nais sp. 115 1.30 

Slavina appendiculata 43 0.81 Tubificidae immature sp. A (LPIL) 273 10.93 29 0.33 489 9.16 Tubificidae immature sp. B (LPIL) 690 27.63 129 2.42 Varichaetadrilus angustipenis 14 0.56 Tricladida (LPIL) 920 10.41 115 2.15 Turbellaria (LPIL) Pomacea paludosa 43 0.81 Ancylidae (LPIL) 14 0.16 Laevapex peninsulae 57 1.07 Hydrobiidae (LPIL) 14 0.16 790 14.80 Amnicola dalli 747 29.92 115 1.30 129 2.42 cf. Floridobia sp. Elimia floridensis Melanoides tuberculata 158 2.96 Melanoides turricula 
 31

Table 13. Density (as number of organisms per taxon per square meter, n/m2), and percent by density (%) of 

macroinvertebrate taxa by pooled petite ponar grabs from Rock Springs, December 2005-September 2006 [Ron 3 ponar grabs per sampling event].

6 Dec 2005 27 Mar 2006 21 Jun 2006 

Taxon 

n/m2 % n/m2 % n/m2 % 

Melanoides sp. (immature) 172 3.22 

cf. Tarebia sp. 

Campeloma floridense 43 0.81 

Caenis diminuta Tricorythodes albilineatus Macromia sp. Cheumatopsyche sp. 

Nectopsyche pavida 14 0.26 Cernotina sp. 172 6.89 Bezzia-Palpomyia complex 43 0.81 

Chironomidae (LPIL) 57 1.07 Chironomus sp. 101 1.14 345 6.46 Cryptochironomus sp. 43 0.81 

Dicrotendipes neomodestus 86 1.61 Dicrotendipes sp. 129 2.42 

Dicrotendipes sp. (immature) 

Paralauterborniella nigrohalteralis 115 1.30 86 1.61 Polypedilum flavum 230 2.60 Polypedilum scalaenum group 388 7.27 

Pseudochironomus sp. 230 2.60 43 0.81 

Stempellinella sp. A Epler 

Stenochironomus sp. 14 0.56 57 1.07 Tanytarsus sp. 230 2.60 

Tanytarsus sp. C Epler 115 1.30 129 2.42 

Tanytarsus sp. G Epler 230 2.60 

Tanytarsus sp. L Epler 86 1.61 

Tanytarsus sp. V Epler 172 6.89 Tribelos sp. 29 0.33 

Orthocladiinae (LPIL) 690 7.81 Cricotopus bicinctus 302 5.66 Cricotopus politus 
 32

Table 13. Density (as number of organisms per taxon per square meter, n/m2), and percent by density (%) of 

macroinvertebrate taxa by pooled petite ponar grabs from Rock Springs, December 2005-September 2006 [Ron 3 ponar grabs per sampling event].

6 Dec 2005 27 Mar 2006 21 Jun 2006 

Taxon 

n/m2 % n/m2 % n/m2 % 

Cricotopus sp. 43 0.81 

Ablabesmyia rhamphe group 57 1.07 Larsia decolorata 43 0.81 Pentaneura inconspicua Caecidotea sp. 57 1.07 

Gammarus cf. tigrinus 187 7.49 2730 30.89 86 1.61 

Gammarus sp. 14 0.56 2773 31.38 460 8.62 Hyalella azteca 115 1.30 302 5.66 Procambarus sp. (immature) 14 0.56 

Total 2497 100 8838 100 5339 100 

Number of Taxa 13 20 37 
 33

Table 14. Density (as number of organisms per taxon per square meter, n/m2), and percent by density (%) of 

macroinvertebrate taxa by pooled petite ponar grabs from Wekiva Springs, December 2005-September 2006 on 3 ponar grabs per sampling event].

7 Dec 2005 27 Mar 2006 22 Jun 2006 

Taxon 

n/m2 % n/m2 % n/m2 % 

Dero botrytis 

Dero digitata 57 0.24 575 4.27 Dero digitata complex 345 5.36 

Dero pectinata 115 1.79 Dero sp. 

Desserobdella phalera 43 0.18 Helobdella stagnalis 2644 11.15 1149 8.54 115 1.79 Helobdella triserialis 43 0.18 115 1.79 Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri 517 2.18 460 3.42 805 12.50 Naidinae (LPIL) 273 1.15 115 1.79 Nais communis complex 345 5.36 

Nais elinguis Nais variabilis Tubificidae immature sp. A (LPIL) 2974 12.55 690 5.13 2069 32.14 Tricladida (LPIL) 43 0.18 690 5.13 345 5.36 Turbellaria (LPIL) Hydrobiidae (LPIL) 6207 26.18 230 1.71 1724 26.78 Amnicola dalli 5977 44.44 Aphaostracon monas cf. Floridobia sp. Floridobia wekiwae Melanoides turricula Caenis diminuta 230 0.97 920 6.84 Caenis sp. 

Chironomidae (LPIL) Chironomini (LPIL) 230 1.71 Chironomus sp. 244 1.03 230 3.57 

Cladopelma sp. 115 1.79 

Dicrotendipes modestus 460 3.42 Dicrotendipes sp. (immature) 460 3.42 

Polypedilum halterale group 115 0.85 
 34

Table 14. Density (as number of organisms per taxon per square meter, n/m2), and percent by density (%) of 

macroinvertebrate taxa by pooled petite ponar grabs from Wekiva Springs, December 2005-September 2006 on 3 ponar grabs per sampling event].

7 Dec 2005 27 Mar 2006 22 Jun 2006 

Taxon 

n/m2 % n/m2 % n/m2 % 

Polypedilum scalaenum group 230 1.71 

Rheotanytarsus sp. 115 0.85 

Tanytarsus sp. 575 4.27 

Tanytarsus sp. C Epler 115 0.85 

Tanytarsus sp. T Epler 9871 41.64 460 3.42 

Tribelos jucundum 43 0.18 Caecidotea racovitzai australis 43 0.18 Caecidotea sp. 72 0.30 Hyalella azteca 345 1.46 Procambarus sp. (immature) 57 0.24 

Total 23706 100 13451 100 6438 100 

Number of Taxa 17 17 12 
 35

Table 15. Taxon richness (

S), number of organisms per square meter (n/m2), Shannon diversity index (H ́log2, 

(J ́), and Florida Index values for benthic macroinvertebrates collected by petite ponar grab in Apopka, BuggWekiva springs, December 2005-September 2006 [Values are based on subsampled, pooled data representing per spring per sampling date except for four replicates from Apopka Spring for March, July, and September]

Spring Date 

S n/m2 H ́log2 H ́log10 J ́ Fl

I

Apopka 12/30/2005 10 13806 0.668 0.201 0.201 

3/28/2006 7 8706 0.565 0.170 0.201 7/13/2006 13 10775 2.138 0.644 0.578 9/21/2006 10 13619 1.947 1.060 0.586 

Bugg 12/30/2005 12 2959 3.016 0.908 0.841 

3/17/2006 17 3280 3.759 1.131 0.919 7/12/2006 14 10443 2.222 0.669 0.583 9/21/2006 15 9773 3.26 0.586 0.834 

Rock 12/6/2005 13 2497 2.717 0.818 0.734 

3/27/2006 20 8838 2.83 0.852 0.655 6/21/2006 37 5339 4.551 1.370 0.873 9/27/2006 39 8095 4.381 0.618 0.829 

Wekiva 12/7/2005 17 23706 2.328 0.701 0.569  3/27/2006 17 13451 3.06 0.921 0.748  6/22/2006 12 6438 2.78 0.837 0.775  9/27/2006 23 35802 2.044 1.060 0.452 
 36

Table 16. Fishes (total number of specimens, n; percent composition per sample, %) collected by 

boat electroshocker in vicinity of Apopka, Bugg, Wekiva, and Rock springs [The downstream 

spring run sections were sampled for Bugg, Wekiva, and Rock springs, and the Gourd Neck area 

of Lake Apopka was sampled. Dates of sampling: Apopka Spring, 25 May 2006; Bugg Spring, 7 

June 2006; Rock Springs, 25 August 2006; and Wekiva Springs, 27 July 2006]. 

Apopka Bugg Wekiva Rock Family Species n % n % n % n % 

Lepisosteidae Lepisosteus osseus 1 0.1 --- --- --- --- --- --- 

Lepisosteus platyrinchus 7 0.8 2 0.6 5 5.5 5 1.6 

Amiidae Amia calva 2 0.2 9 2.5 7 7.7 13 4.1 

Anguillidae Anguilla rostrata --- --- --- --- 2 2.2 --- --- 

Clupeidae Dorosoma petenense 1 0.1 --- --- --- --- --- --- 

Cyprinidae Notemigonus crysoleucas 3 0.4 --- --- 8 8.8 49 15.4 

Notropis maculatus 1 0.1 --- --- --- --- --- --- 

Notropis petersoni --- --- --- --- --- --- 6 1.9 

Catostomidae Erimyzon sucetta --- --- 3 0.8 13 14.3 32 10.1 

Ictaluridae Ameiurus catus 1 0.1 --- --- 1 1.1 --- --- 

Ameiurus natalis --- --- --- --- --- --- 2 0.6 

Ameiurus nebulosus 4 0.5 --- --- 2 2.2 --- --- 

Callichthyidae Hoplosternum littorale a --- --- --- --- 1 1.1 --- --- 

Loricariidae Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus a --- --- --- --- 2 2.2 16 5.0 

Esocidae Esox americanus --- --- 6 1.7 --- --- --- --- 

Atherinopsidae Labidesthes sicculus 27 3.2 --- --- 1 1.1 --- --- 

Fundulidae Fundulus seminolis 3 0.4 7 2.0 3 3.3 --- --- 

Lucania goodei 3 0.4 2 0.6 --- --- 5 1.6 

Lucania parva --- --- --- --- --- --- 2 0.6 

Poeciliidae Gambusia holbrooki 35 4.2 156 b 43.8 1 1.1 1 0.3 

Heterandria formosa 1 0.1 5 1.4 --- --- --- --- 

Poecilia latipinna --- --- 56 15.7 --- --- --- --- 

Centrarchidae Lepomis auritus 34 4.0 4 1.1 16 17.6 45 14.2 

Lepomis gulosus 13 1.5 4 1.1 --- --- 15 4.7 

Lepomis macrochirus 336 39.9 9 2.5 --- --- 39 12.3 

Lepomis marginatus 2 0.2 --- --- --- --- --- --- 

Lepomis microlophus 17 2.0 26 7.3 --- --- 23 7.2 

Lepomis punctatus --- --- 52 14.6 18 19.8 36 11.3 

Micropterus salmoides 46 5.5 13 3.7 11 12.1 27 8.5 

Pomoxis nigromaculatus 9 1.1 --- --- --- --- --- --- 

Percidae Etheostoma fusiforme 1 0.1 --- --- --- --- --- --- 

Percina nigrofasciata --- --- --- --- --- --- 2 0.6 

Cichlidae Oreochromis aureus a 295 c 35.0 2 0.6 --- --- --- --- 

Total 842 100 356 100 91 100 318 100 a

 Nonindigenous species. 

b

 Disproportionately large number of specimens collected as schooling adults at the surface. c

 Disproportionately large number of specimens collected as small fry disgorged from buccal cavities of adult 

mouthbrooding females. 
 37

Figure 1. Location of Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, central Florida. 
 38

Figure 2. Periodic discharge measurements from Apopka Spring, 1971-2005 [Data from 

the St. Johns River Water Management District]. 

Figure 3. Weekly discharge data from Bugg Spring, 1990-2005 [Data from J. Branham].
 39

Figure 4. Periodic discharge measurements from Rock Springs, 1931-2006 [Data from 

the St. Johns River Water Management District and U.S. Geological Survey]. 

Figure 5. Continuous and periodic discharge data from Wekiva Springs, 1932-2006 [Data 

from the St. Johns River Water Management District and U.S. Geological Survey].
 40

Figure 6. Metrics used to calculate the Stream Condition Index (SCI) for benthic 

macroinvertebrates collected by dip net from Bugg Spring, December 2005-September 

2006 [For raw values <0 or >10, scores are corrected by adjusting to values of 0 or 10, 

respectively]
 41

Figure 7. Metrics used to calculate the Stream Condition Index (SCI) for benthic 

macroinvertebrates collected by dip net from Rock Springs, December 2005-September 

2006 [For raw values <0 or >10, scores are corrected by adjusting to values of 0 or 10, 

respectively]. 
 42

Figure 8. Metrics used to calculate the Stream Condition Index (SCI) for benthic 

macroinvertebrates collected by dip net from Wekiva Springs, December 2005-

September 2006 [For raw values <0 or >10, scores are corrected by adjusting to values 

of 0 or 10, respectively].
 43

Winter Spring Summer Fall

0

1

2

3

4

5

Bugg 

Rock 

Wekiva

Figure 9. Shannon diversity index (H ́, log base 2) and evenness (J ́) by season for 

benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages collected by dip net from Bugg, Rock, and 

Wekiva springs, December 2005-September 2006. 
 44

Winter Spring Summer Fall

Number of Taxa

0

10

20

30

40

50

Apopka 

Bugg 

Rock 

Wekiva 

Figure 10. Richness of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa collected by pooled replicate 

ponar grabs (n = 3-4) by season for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs. 
 45

Winter Spring Summer Fall

0

1

2

3

4

5

Apopka 

Bugg

Rock 

Wekiva

H'

J'

Figure 11. Shannon diversity index (H ́, log base 2) and evenness (J ́) by season for 

benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages collected by pooled ponar grabs (n = 3-4) from 

Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, December 2005-September 2006.
 46

Apopka Bugg Rock Wekiva

Total Number of Organisms per m

2

0

10x103

20x103

30x103

40x103

Dec 

Mar 

Jun/Jul 

Sep 

Figure 12. Abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates (all taxa combined) collected by 

pooled replicate ponar grabs by month for Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs 

[n = 3-4 ponar grabs]. 
 47

Apopka_Dec

Apopka_Mar

Apopka_Jul

Apopka_Sep

Bugg_Sep

Bugg_Mar

Bugg_Dec

Bugg_Jul

Wekiva_Sep

Wekiva_Mar

Wekiva_Dec

Wekiva_Jun

Rock_Dec

RockMar

100

80604020

0

Similarity

Transform: Fourth rootResemblance: S17 Bray 

Figure 13. Hierarchical clustering dendrogram of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages by pooled 

samples per date and spring [Calculated using group average of 4th-root transformed Bray-Curtis s
 48

Apopka_Dec

Bugg_Dec

Rock_Dec

Wekiva_Dec

Apopka_Mar

Bugg_Mar

Wekiva_Mar Rock_Mar

Apopka_Jul

Bugg_Jul

Rock_Jun

Wekiva_Jun

Apopka_Sep

Bugg_Sep

Rock_Sep

Wekiva_Sep

2D Stress: 0.2

Figure 14. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) plot of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblag

petite ponar dredge at Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva springs, December 2005-September 2006 

using Primer (ver. 6.16). Plot generated from Bray-Curtis similarities of 4th-root transformed data rpooled samples (n=3 for all except n=4 for spring, summer, and fall samples at Apopka Spring). Gbased on 25% similarity]. 
 49

Bugg Apopka Rock Wekiva

Richness

0

5

10

15

20

25

Figure 15. Total number of fish species collected at Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and Wekiva 

springs [Collection dates are listed in Table 16 legend]. 
 50 Lepisosteidae Amiidae Clupeidae Anguillidae Cyprinidae Catostomidae Ictaluridae Loricariidae

Callichthyidae

Atherinopsidae

Esocidae

Fundulidae

Poeciliidae

Centrarchidae

Percidae

Cichlidae

Number of Species

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Bugg

Apopka

Rock

Wekiva

Figure 16. Number of species by family of fishes collected at Apopka, Bugg, Rock, and 

Wekiva springs [Collection dates are listed in Table 16 legend].