Pesticide residues in aquatic invertebrates

Abstract

Aquatic invertebrates are defined as invertebrate animals that depend on aquatic ecosystems or moist environments for at least a portion of their lifecycle. Occasionally, taxonomists also include the semiaquatic invertebrates, which inhabit shores and vegetation surrounding aquatic environments. Habitats for aquatic invertebrates include wetlands, lakes, streams, rivers, oceans, and other waters (Pechenik 1996). The term aquatic invertebrate refers to swimming nekton, floating plankton, bottom-dwelling benthos, and surface-dwelling neuston. Aquatic invertebrates are diverse species that range widely in size, habitat, behavior, characteristics, food preference, and evolutionary relationships. In the food web, aquatic invertebrates are often divided into herbivores, detritivores, carnivores, and parasites. However, many scientists classify aquatic organisms based on feeding method (shredders, grazers, and suspension feeders) rather than food type. For the purpose of this book, aquatic invertebrates are classified into three major phyla: Rotifera, Mollusca, and Arthropoda.