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vol-31ZOOPLANKTON STRUCTURE IN LAKE EDKU AND
ADJACENT WATERS (EGYPT)
ASGAD M. SOLIMAN
National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt.
Keyword: Zooplankton, Lake Edku, diversity.
ABSTRACT
Zooplankton community structure and its diversity index in relation to the most
important hydrographic conditions at Lake Edku, Sea, Boughaz and Drains were
investigated during the period from June 1995 to April 1996. Results showed that a total of
80 species were identified comprising 26 Rotifera, 23 Protozoa, 16 Copepoda, 4 Cladocera,
4 Ostracoda, free living nematodes, meroplanktonic larvae of Cirripeds, insects,
Polychaetes , decapods and veliger of molluscs. Protozoa was the most important group in
Sea sector mainly represented by Favella serrata. Rotifera was the predominant group at
the other three sectors where Brachionus calyciflorus, B. plicatilis and B. angularis were
common. The zooplankton density showed a remarkable increase as compared with the
previous records and the study indicates high level of eutrophication in lake sector. The
diversity index showed wide variations at the different sectors. The highest diversity was at
Boughaz and the lowest at lake sectors analogous to the number of species. A series of
stepwise regression equations describing the dependence of zooplankton standing stock, its
main groups on changes of the most abiotic prevailing conditions are given and discussed.
