ABSTRACT
This chapter compiles much of the known information on diet, morphology, and behavior for over 400 North American species based on literature and personal investigation to develop a trophic guild classification that might satisfy the needs of other North American investigators for use in biocriteria development. S. D. Gerking compiled much of the known information on the feeding ecology of fishes, and found that the field is badly splintered and needs consolidation. He presented a series of definitions that have solidified the field and assisted in the development of hierarchical classification. Herbivores are primary consumers that eat green plant biomass made by photosynthesis. Green plants are divided into four broad categories of trophic guild classification: phytoplankton, epilithic algae, epiphytic algae, and macrophytes. Particulate feeders typically have thick-walled, muscular stomach and use sand particles for grinding. If the species has morphological and physiological capability to feed on certain types of organisms, then it probably will do so at some instant in time.
