Determination of Zooplankton Fauna in the Running Waters of Arsuz District of Hatay Province

Abstract

Some water quality parameters (salinity, water temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen) and zooplankton fauna were investigated in 4 rivers within the borders of Arsuz district of Hatay Province. Forty three (43) species of Rotifera (61.43%), 21 species of Copepoda (30%), and 6 species of Cladocera (8.57%) were recorded. In the study, 15 families from Rotifera were recorded, Lecanidae was the richest family with 12 species, Chydoridae from Cladocera represented by three families was the richest family with 4 species, and Cyclopoidae from Copepoda, represented by 10 families, was the richest family with 8 species. It was observed that Cephalodella gibba, Colurella adriatica, Eucyclops serrulatus and Paracyclops fimbriatus were the most common species recorded in all four running waters. Most species (51 species) were recorded in Arsuz Stream, followed by Gümüşkent stream with 32 species. In the study in which a total of 70 taxa were recorded, only 12 taxa were very abundant (+++) and abundant (++) levels in various seasons and rivers. Only 2 rotifer Brachionus quadridentatus and Lecane hamata were very abundant. There was a significant and positive relationship between zooplankton species diversity, abundance, and water quality parameters.