Microscopic Illustrations
Daphnia, colored pencil
Commissioned by: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
About daphnia:
Daphnia are small aquatic planktonic crustaceans. They are also referred to as water fleas. They are found in freshwater environments including swamps, lakes, ponds, streams and rivers. Most are filter feeders and ingest unicellular algae and similar small protists and bacteria.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Branchiopoda
Order: Cladocera
Family: Daphniidae
Genus: Daphnia
Also see:
More information about daphnia:
Wikipedia: daphnia
Daphnia FAQ
Daphnia, a small aquatic planktonic crustacean also called a water flea, is painted in watercolor by Gina in 2006 for Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Daphnia live in freshwater swamps, lakes, ponds, streams and rivers. The rounded body holds delicate internal forms, with a slender spine and branching antennae extending past it, and pale and dark washes keep overlapping structures readable.