Zooplankton assemblages in eutrophic reservoirs of the Brazilian semi-arid

Species composition, density, and temporal dynamics of zooplankton were studied in six reservoirs in a semi-arid region in tropical northeastern Brazil (Rio Grande do Norte state). All the reservoirs are highly eutrophic, with high contents of total nitrogen (minimum of 1200 µg.L(-1)) and total phos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brazilian journal of biology 2013-02, Vol.73 (1), p.37-52
Main Authors: Eskinazi-Sant'Anna, E M, Menezes, R, Costa, I S, Araújo, M, Panosso, R, Attayde, J L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
BIOLOGY
Biomass
Cladocera - classification
Copepoda - classification
Desert Climate
Eutrophication
Fresh Water
Population Density
Population Dynamics
reservoirs
Rotifera - classification
Seasons
semi-arid
zooplankton
Zooplankton - classification
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Summary:Species composition, density, and temporal dynamics of zooplankton were studied in six reservoirs in a semi-arid region in tropical northeastern Brazil (Rio Grande do Norte state). All the reservoirs are highly eutrophic, with high contents of total nitrogen (minimum of 1200 µg.L(-1)) and total phosphorus (minimum of 10 µg.L(-1)), and extremely high algal biomass was registered (surpassing 20 µg Chl a.L(-1)). All the reservoirs showed an enduring condition of high turbidity and phytoplankton assemblages dominated by cyanobacteria. Zooplankton also showed quantitative patterns suggestive of eutrophic conditions, expressed by high densities, mainly in Passagem das Traíras and Sabugi reservoirs. A spatial differentiation in the composition of the zooplankton community was registered. Rotifers (especially Keratella tropica, Brachionus havanensis, and Keratella americana) were the dominant forms in the zooplankton community of Itans, Passagem das Traíras, and Sabugi reservoirs, while calanoid copepods (mainly Notodiaptomus cearensis) dominated in the Armando Ribeiro, Gargalheiras, and Parelhas systems. The existence of novel relationships in zooplankton community composition in eutrophic reservoirs in this tropical semi-arid region must be considered in designating zooplankton indicators of eutrophic conditions.
ISSN:1519-6984
1678-4375
1678-4375
1519-6984
DOI:10.1590/S1519-69842013000100006