Presenter: Tabitha Weir
Authors: Tabitha Weir
Faculty Advisor: Heath Ogden
Institution: Utah Valley University
Ephemeroptera are key components of every freshwater system, and integral parts of nutrient and carbon cycling. Beyond this, their sensitivity to pollutants is especially useful for indicating water quality. This sensitivity inturn makes Ephemeroptera species in their distribution and population heavily dependent on consistent water quality. While there have been aquatic invertebrate surveys, online databases, and publications on Utah’s mayfly species, many of these are outdated or incomplete. These resources do not reflect changes in species distribution and locality over time, leaving questions about how many species still inhabit Utah. The goal of this research is to investigate the current Ephemeroptera of Utah, focusing on their distribution and locations throughout the state. Three main efforts will be used to accomplish this goal: 1) literature and database searching, 2) gathering data from local museums and universities, and 3) field work with a focus on species with large collection gaps. The main outcome will be an Ephemeroptera guide to the species of Utah, and in what counties they’re to be found.