Editing Mayfly (section)

==== Effects on ecosystem functioning ====

Mayflies are involved in both [[primary production]] and [[bioturbation]]. A study in laboratory simulated streams revealed that the mayfly genus ''[[Centroptilum]]'' increased the export of [[periphyton]],<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Effects of Three Herbivores on Periphyton Communities in Laboratory Streams|journal = Journal of the North American Benthological Society|date = 1987-06-01|issn = 0887-3593|pages = 92–104|volume = 6|issue = 2|doi = 10.2307/1467219|first1 = Gary A.|last1 = Lamberti|first2 = Linda R.|last2 = Ashkenas|first3 = Stan V.|last3 = Gregory|first4 = Alan D.|last4 = Steinman|jstor = 1467219|s2cid = 54578281}}</ref> thus indirectly affecting primary production positively, which is an essential process for ecosystems. The mayfly can also reallocate and alter the nutrient availability in aquatic habitats through the process of bioturbation. By burrowing in the bottom of lakes and redistributing nutrients, mayflies indirectly regulate phytoplankton and epibenthic primary production.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1 = Bachteram |first1 = André M. |last2 = Mazurek |first2 = Kerry A. |last3 = Ciborowsk |first3 = Jan J. H. |title = Sediment Suspension by Burrowing Mayflies (Hexagenia spp., Ephemeroptera: Ephemeridae)|journal = Journal of Great Lakes Research|date = 2005-01-01|pages = 208–222|volume = 31 |issue=Supplement 2|series = Lake Erie Trophic Status Collaborative Study |doi = 10.1016/S0380-1330(05)70315-4}}</ref> Once burrowing to the bottom of the lake, mayfly nymphs begin to billow their respiratory gills. This motion creates current that carries food particles through the burrow and allows the nymph to filter feed. Other mayfly nymphs possess elaborate filter feeding mechanisms like that of the genus ''[[Isonychia]]''. The nymph have forelegs that contain long bristle-like structures that have two rows of hairs. Interlocking hairs form the filter by which the insect traps food particles. The action of filter feeding has a small impact on water purification but an even larger impact on the convergence of small particulate matter into matter of a more complex form that goes on to benefit consumers later in the food chain.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Merritt |first1=Richard W. |last2=Wallace |first2=J. Bruce |date=April 1981 |title=Filter-feeding Insects |journal=Scientific American |volume=244 |issue=4 |pages=132–136, 141–142, 144 |url=http://coweeta.uga.edu/publications/671.pdf |doi=10.1038/scientificamerican0481-132 |bibcode=1981SciAm.244d.132M |access-date=2017-01-08|archive-date=2010-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612033203/http://coweeta.uga.edu/publications/671.pdf}}</ref>