Zooplankton species distribution, richness and composition across tropical shallow lakes: A large scale assessment by biome, lake origin, and lake habitat

摘要: Assessing zooplankton biodiversity is essential to support freshwater management/conservation programs. Here, we investigated the community structure from 180 shallow lakes in northeastern Brazil and analyzed them according biome (Atlantic Forest or Caatinga), origin of ecosystems (natural man-made lakes), habitat type (pelagic littoral). Additionally, provided an updated list species. We registered 227 species (137 Rotifera, 65 Cladocera, 25 Copepoda). The most common each major group among all were cladoceran Ceriodaphina cornuta , rotifers Brachionus havanaensis Lecane bulla copepod Termocyclops decipiens . Species related aquatic vegetation, as Lecanidae phytophilous cladocerans, more frequent along Atlantic natural lakes. On other hand, that are bioindicators eutrophic waters at Caatinga biomes had similar richness, but different compositions for groups, reinforcing significance Brazilian biodiversity. was important factor structuring with higher richness littoral region when compared pelagic. A result many unique Cladocera Rotifera associated vegetation observed. findings demonstrated conservation/management plans cannot generalize distribution across biomes, origins even within a single lake, between pelagic zones.