Effet de certains paramètres physico-chimiques sur les relations prédateurs–proies dans les populations de copépodes cyclopoïdes des mares temporaires d'eau douce

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Copepod populations of three temporary freshwater pools (Alnus unit, Carex unit, and Molinia unit) were studied using a standard approach (species versus abiotic factors) and a holistic one (body size and feeding ecology). Multiple regression analyses of data indicate that the physical and chemical features of water (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, mineral content, and depth) explain 62 to 98% of the variability of carnivorous copepods, while the abundance of their prey accounts for much less. No size class of prey seems to be preferred. The abundance of decaying organic matter, typical of such pools, would result in an overabundance of prey. Predators would then be under the control of nonalimentary factors.