In Lake Geneva (Switzerland), the macrofauna of the stony lake bottom was studied in seven stations from 1969 to 1971. The modifications in animal communities since the beginning of the century can be attributed partly to the increasing eutrophication of the lake and partly to the introduction of new species. The stations are classified according to the structure of their animal communities, which enables us to deduce the degree of eutrophication of each station. The analysis of factors which influence the animals' microdistribution on lakebottom stones reveals many complicated interactions. As a result of this complexity, further research projects were concentrated on leeches (Hirudinea) which colonize artificial substrates in imitation of the underface of stones.Helobdella stagnalis, Erpobdella octoculata andGlossiphonia complanata form the major part of collected fauna. Density fluctuations, population structures (age groups) and quantitative relations between these three species as well as their vertical and horizontal distribution patterns were examined in great detail.