The mesozooplankton (Crustacea: Cladocera, Copepoda, and Decapoda) spatial and temporal dynamics in a Pampean shallow hyposaline lake during drought conditions

ALFONSO, M. B; FORNERÓN C. F.; BALEANI C.; PICCOLO, M. C.; MENÉNDEZ, M. C.

Biología Acuática

ILPA- CONICET

Lugar: La Plata; Año: 2020

1668-4869

The Sauce Grande Lake, a shallow, eutrophic and hyposaline lake, was studied through monthly samplings during a year (December 2009- November 2010). The drought that affected the region since 2009 and during the entire study period interrupted the regular inflow from the river and outflow to the Atlantic Ocean. The lake presented an increase of salinity values and highly turbid conditions as a result of drought conditions and wind resuspension. Small cladocerans as Moina micrura followed by the copepod Boeckella poopoensis dominates the mesozooplankton community. The salinity determined the mesozooplankton composition; meanwhile, the seasonal mesozooplankton abundance dynamic was ruled by temperature in conjunction with the eutrophic conditions during the study period. In a global context of climate change, and in a region where drought and wet cycles are frequent, these results further contribute to understanding the processes affecting the zooplankton community structure and dynamic during extreme climate events.