Zooplankton community (Rotifera and Crustacea) and population dynamics of Arctodiaptomus spinosus in Lake Rusanda (Serbia)

The zooplankton community was analysed in two intermittent salt lakes in Serbia – Lake Velika and Lake Mala Rusanda. Samples were collected twice a month during the wet phase between March and May. A total of 15 zooplankton taxa were identified. Crustaceans were more diverse in Lake Mala Rusanda. The communities of both lakes were composed mainly of cosmopolitan, generalist, euryhaline species. Strictly haline species such as Brachionus asplanchnoidis and Arctodiaptomus spinosus were the dominant components of the zooplankton communities in both lakes. Arctodiaptomus spinosus was most abundant in March and April, accounting for up to 50% of all zooplankton specimens found in a sample. The proportion of juvenile stages of A. spinosus was highest in the March and early April samples. The ratio of males to females varied and was likely related to swarming behaviour as part of the species’ reproductive strategy.