Latitude and elevation as factors controlling occurrence of calanoid copepods in marginal lotic waters in New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

Freshwater calanoid copepods develop abundant populations in lentic water bodies such as lakes, reservoirs and lagoons. In this study, we examined the potential habitat value of edges in lotic systems such as creeks and rivers where waters tend to stagnate, providing lentic‐like environments. We examined a total of 353 edge samples collected from 321 sites across the state of New South Wales, Australia, with latitudes in the range 28.3–37.4°S and elevations in the range 2–1834 m above sea level. Of the total samples examined, calanoid copepods were found in 94 samples, with the frequency of occurrences of species decreasing in the order: Boeckella fluvialis Henry, B. triarticulata (Thomson), Gladioferens spinosus Henry, G. pectinatus (Brady), B. major Searle, B. minuta Sars, and Calamoecia lucasi Brady. The probability of occurrence of the calanoid copepods was related negatively to both latitude (as absolute values) and elevation, based on logistic regression models. We conclude that the edges of many lotic systems provide additional habitats for some species of freshwater calanoid copepods, with constraints on their distributions along latitudinal and elevational gradients.

Temporal variations and pond age effect on plankton communities in semi-intensive freshwater marron (Cherax cainii, Austin and Ryan, 2002) earthen aquaculture ponds in Western Australia

“…Rotifera dominated the zooplankton composition as observed by Mathias (1991) in a tropical freshwater lake (India), followed by Copepoda while Cladocerans had the lowest abundance of any zooplankton group. Copepoda abundance was dominated by Calanoida, which have vital implications for the structure and productivity of freshwater bodies in energy transfer from primary producers to consumers in aquatic ecosystems ( Kobayashi et al, 2018 ).…”

Product vs. process? The role of geomorphology in wetland characterization

“…the gross primary productivity of phytoplankton and planktonic respiration in aquatic habitats (Kobayashi et al, 2013) at landform, reach, and system scales. Geomorphology, not just topography, also determines marginal (edge-water) habitats, which are particularly important for biological function and diversity (Kobayashi et al, 2018). Geomorphological understanding can thus engender management approaches that 'don't fight the site' (Brierley and Fryirs, 2009) but work with the characteristic process-landform relationships operating in any given wetland (Brierley et al, 2013).…”

Diversity of Freshwater Calanoid Copepods (Crustacea: Copepoda: Calanoida) in North-Eastern China

“…Copepods are tiny aquatic planktonic organisms that are widely distributed in various inland water bodies, such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and groundwater [1][2][3]. Freshwater copepods belong to three main orders: Calanoida, Cyclopoida, and Harpacticoida.…”