Spatial Distribution of Cladocera in a Stratified Palaearctic Lake

The spatial distribution of 39 species Chydoridae, representing seven families, was examined in a stratified Palaearctic lake Poland (Lake Piaseczno). Thirty-one the living that were found to exist exclusively littoral zone. No pelagic zone; this zone, eight identified, but all these also quite abundant Almost Chydoridae and Macrothricidae only littoral, whereas Daphnidae Sididae families comprised either restricted or occurring both zones. Two Bosminidae species, turn, displayed consistent biotic zones, differed their habitat preferences. On other hand, Polyphemidae Leptodoridae exhibited littoral-pelagic distributions, respectively. Few occurred one only. Most despite showing clear preferences for distinct (or habitats), present at lower densities throughout whole lake, case limnetic species. Archetype analysis showed cladocerans distributed along entire gradient macrophyte characteristics depth. Among which strongest attachment habitats overgrown by macrophytes, few above 50% similarity archetype among submerged macrophytes with highest plant per volume infested. Furthermore, many including family, P. pediculus S. mucronata, avoided staying particularly complicated architecture. Regarding relation depth, could be grouped into settling relatively shallow parts mainly 3–6 m deep lake. negligible between macrophyte-free deepest study provides quantitative support display threshold time Although group aquatic invertebrates is widely suspected being ecologically flexible tolerant environmental gradients, individual high segregation according depth