Attack of the Spiny Water Flea!

            Although this creature is only a 1/2 inch big, it may be one of the most annoying and invasive species of all time. The Spiny Water Flea, also known as Bythotrephes Cederstroemi  is an invasive species that has attacked both the Great Lakes, Sacandaga Lake, and is on its way to Lake Champlain.
           The Spiny Water Flea derived in Eurasia, and was found in the Great Lakes in the mid 1980s. It wasn't until last September that scientists discovered the species attached to boats in Sacandaga Lake. It is their fear that this species will make its way into Lake Champlain. Although it may be small, it can totally ruin lake ecosystems. The fleas tail makes it almost impossible for small fish to digest. Since nothing can digest them they just keep multiplying. The flea produces thick walled eggs that can remain dormant for long periods of time outside of the water. Their eggs can even be digested and still survive. Its hard spiny body gives it is perfect name " Spiny Water Flea". Scientists believe that the flea invades our lakes through boat transportation. Since boating is a big recreational sport in New York State, people are constantly taking their boats in and out of different bodies of water. This could have caused the invasion of these annoying creatures. The spiny water flea predation will reduce the diversity and density of the native Zooplankton that can be found in most lakes in NY.
       My best friend's family owns a campsite on the shore of Sacandaga Lake. Over the summer we went on a boat ride and when her father took the anchor out of the water there were a number of the fleas attached to the chain. They are small, yet very ugly looking. As a matter of fact, they kind of resemble what I would think an alien would look like. The Flea's body is almost 70% Spiny. Adult's have four pairs of barbs on there tail, and younger ones only have 1 pair of barbs. It has one large black or red eye, and has four pairs of legs that they use to catch their prey. They also have antenna that they use to swim with. For being not even an inch big these creatures have caused quiet a stir in New York State. I even learned about them last year in my Ecology class because they have caused such an annoyance to fishers.