Seasonal dynamics and size structure of littoral Cladocera in Claytor Lake, Virginia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1985

Abstract

Seasonal changes in species dominance and size structure of littoral Cladocera were investigated in a mainstream reservoir in southwest Virginia. Twenty-four species of benthic, vegetation-dwelling, and pelagic cladocerans were captured during the study. The assemblage was dominated numerically by small Bosmina and Chydorus, while larger vegetation-dwelling species such as Alona, Eurycercus, Latona, and Sida typically accounted for the majority of biomass. The number of species captured was relatively constant from May through November with decreasing dominance as the season progressed. Seasonal dynamics of individual species resulted in significant shifts in frequency distributions of numbers and volume across size classes. Overall, the assemblage was divided seasonally as dominance shifted from pelagic to vegetation-dwelling species in mid-July. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Journal of Freshwater Ecology

First Page

211

Last Page

222

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