Microcrustaceans (Cladocera and Copepoda) of the Boreal/Tropical Transition Zone in the Russian Far East: A Case Study of Species Associations in Three Large Lakes

The Far East of Russia is a region where boreal and tropical faunas mix; it also zone cladoceran endemism. present study aimed to compare set microcrustacean (Cladocera Copepoda) associations in three large lakes the Russian East: Khanka, Bolon, Chukchagir. microcrustaceans were identified based on function discrete hypergeometric distribution. Many 108 taxa found here unaffiliated with an association. Interestingly, portion involved “not involved” species differed among geographic faunistic complexes. rate endemism was significantly higher incorporated into as compared taxa. In all lakes, there clusters phytophilous characteristic macrophyte (and its margins) pelagic sublittoral plankton. We that formed functionally similar associations, but taxonomic composition each functional association specific lake. hypothesize reflects history colonization for water body. That is, founder effects subsequent “monopolization” habitats have affected associations.