The Clingers

The Clingers

Clingers are organisms that can "hold their place" on bottom substrates in moving waters, whether they be wave-swept shorelines or stream riffles. The strategies used vary from behavioural (the construction of fixed retreats), or morphological (strong tarsal claws, or suckers that can adhere to hard surfaces). Many of these organisms are dorso-ventrally flattened, a shape that may allow them to avoid the main force of the current. Many of the filtering-collectors and scrapers are also clingers.

Clingers Belonging to Insecta

ORDER	GENERA	ORDER	GENERA
Coleoptera	*Ectopria* *Optioservus* *Psephenus* *Stenelmis*	Diptera	*Antocha* *Simulium*
Ephemeroptera	*Baetis* *Ephemerella* *Isonychia* *Stenacron* *Tricorythodes*	Lepidoptera	*Petrophila*
Megaloptera	*Nigronia* *Sialis*	Odonata	*Calopteryx*
Plecoptera	*Acroneuria* *Paragnetina* *Pteronarcys*	Trichoptera	*Brachycentrus* *Cheumatopsyche* *Chimarra* *Helicopsyche* *Hydropsyche* *Micrasema* *Neophylax* *Polycentropus* *Rhyacophila* *Psychomyia*

Clingers Belonging to Other Classes

CLASS	GENERA	CLASS	GENERA
Hirudinea	*Erpobdella* *Glossiphonia* *Helobdella*	Gastropoda	*Ferrissia* *Gyraulus* *Physella* *Planorbella*
Turbellaria	*Cura*

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