Author/Editor		Jersabek, CD; Brancelj, A; Stoch, F; Schabetsberger, R
Title		Distribution and ecology of copepods in mountainous regions of the Eastern Alps
Type		članek
Source		Hydrobiologia
Vol. and No.		Letnik 453/454
Publication year		2001
Volume		str. 309-24
Language		eng
Abstract		Copepod species richness, patterns of distribution and compostion of assemblages were evaluated in high-altitude sites in the Eastern Alps. Diverse habitats were sampled in 16U lentic water bodies from different geologic areas, ranging from acid bog ponds to alkaline karst waters and from small temporary puddles to deep lakes. The attitudinal range comprised' all mountainous regions from the montane (1290 m a.s.l.) fo the alpine (2886 m aa.l.). zone. Forty-four species were recorded, with the harpacticoids being the richest group. Although most species occupied a wide altitudinal range, some stenotopic mountain forms were restricted to alpine habitats. The most widespread taxa were Acanthocyclops vernalis; Eucyclops serrulatus, Bryocamptus rhaeticus, Arctodiaptomus alpincas and Cyclops abyssorurn tatricus. All species found were listed along with notec on their distribution, ecology and patterns of coexistence. There was both a marked change in species composition and a decline in species richness from hardwater habitats in the Limestone Alps to softwater sites in the Central Alps. Copepod taxocoenoses were most diverse in montane limestone lakes and impoverished with increasing altitude. Copepods and sampling sites were ordinated using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), and copepod assemblages were defined in relation to physical and chemical parameters, habitat type and presence/absence of planktivocous fish. Planktonic species were largely absent from lakes with introduced fish. Although calanoid associations were common, coexisting diaptomids were rare, suggesting a strong interspecific competition between these predominantly filter feeders. Most copepods found are common eurytopic or cold stenothermal; but some exhibit peculiar disjunct patterns of geographical distribution, and others are apparently restricted to the Alps. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters)
Descriptors		CRUSTACEA FRESH WATER ECOSYSTEM