Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the subfossil record, preservation, and environmental sensitivity of lake insects in Conesus Lake (Livingston County, NY). The Finger Lakes, especially Conesus Lake, are critical sites for aquatic insect diversity and life stages. Fossil insects are primarily found in ancient lake sediments and are useful indicators of insect diversity, evolution, and ecological change. Therefore, Conesus Lake is an ideal system for investigating the aquatic insect subfossil record to use as a tool for understanding lake ecosystem health and preservation. Piston and bolivia cores were collected from the south basin of Conesus Lake. The cores were collected at 1.8 meters in water depth, composing a composite core of 154 cm. These cores were split, imaged, and analyzed using a Geotek multi-sensor core logger at Syracuse University. Sediments were sub-sampled at one-centimeter increments, sieved at 250 and 125 microns, and subfossil material was separated from the sediment. Insect exoskeletons, larval encasements, and head capsules were picked from the sediment and identified based on morphology and taxonomic affinity. 95 insect components were collected from 30 sediment horizons. Chironomid head capsules, insect carapaces, caddis fly larval encasements, wings, mandibles, legs, and unknown insect parts were found in lake sediments. Most commonly found were caddisfly encasings (34 encasings) and chironomid head capsules (29 heads). Caddis fly encasings were composed of plants or grains of sediment. Based on the preservation of caddis fly encasings and chironomid heads, these can be used as environmental indicators and proxies of historical change in Conesus Lake.
Recommended Citation
Cole, Zander, "268 - A Fossil Bugs Life in Conesus Lake" (2025). GREAT Day Posters. 81.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2025/posters-2025/81
268 - A Fossil Bugs Life in Conesus Lake
This study aims to investigate the subfossil record, preservation, and environmental sensitivity of lake insects in Conesus Lake (Livingston County, NY). The Finger Lakes, especially Conesus Lake, are critical sites for aquatic insect diversity and life stages. Fossil insects are primarily found in ancient lake sediments and are useful indicators of insect diversity, evolution, and ecological change. Therefore, Conesus Lake is an ideal system for investigating the aquatic insect subfossil record to use as a tool for understanding lake ecosystem health and preservation. Piston and bolivia cores were collected from the south basin of Conesus Lake. The cores were collected at 1.8 meters in water depth, composing a composite core of 154 cm. These cores were split, imaged, and analyzed using a Geotek multi-sensor core logger at Syracuse University. Sediments were sub-sampled at one-centimeter increments, sieved at 250 and 125 microns, and subfossil material was separated from the sediment. Insect exoskeletons, larval encasements, and head capsules were picked from the sediment and identified based on morphology and taxonomic affinity. 95 insect components were collected from 30 sediment horizons. Chironomid head capsules, insect carapaces, caddis fly larval encasements, wings, mandibles, legs, and unknown insect parts were found in lake sediments. Most commonly found were caddisfly encasings (34 encasings) and chironomid head capsules (29 heads). Caddis fly encasings were composed of plants or grains of sediment. Based on the preservation of caddis fly encasings and chironomid heads, these can be used as environmental indicators and proxies of historical change in Conesus Lake.
Comments
Sponsored by Jacalyn Wittmer Malinowski