Diel vertical distribution of zooplankton in Piaseczno Lake (Wda Landscape Park) - i. Crustacea

Diel vertical distribution of Crustacean communities was studied in Piaseczno Lake, in the water stagnate period, in the summer of 2004. Additionally, temperature, dissolved oxygen and water transparency in the whole water column were measured. The presence of a total of 30 species of crustaceans was found. Vertical distribution of both cladocerans and copepods was uneven and the highest numbers of individuals was noticed in the epilimnion. In the case of the larval stages of Copepoda the highest abundances were recorded in the metalimnion. Diel vertical migrations were observed only for three species - Diaphanosoma brachyurum, Daphnia hyalina and Mesocyclops oithonoides. Species which remained in the surface layers of water were cladocerans such as Daphnia cucullata, Chydorus sphaericus and Bosmina longirostris, while the rest of the species revealed an equal pattern of distribution in the water column. Diversified vertical distribution and diel vertical migrations of crustacean zooplankton ware probably caused by intense pressure of predators, mainly planktivorous fish present in great numbers in the examined water body, as well as the seeking of optimal life conditions in the pelagic zone of Piaseczno Lake (Jezioro Piaseczno).