The distribution of calanoid copepods in the plankton of Wisconsin Lakes

Abstract

Zooplankton communities from 499 lakes were examined for calanoid copepod species. Limnocalanus macrurus and Senecella calaloides are confined to Lakes Michigan, Superior and one inland lake each. Eurytemora affinis has recently become established in the coastal waters of Lakes Michigan and Superior. Epischura lacustris is present in the summer plankton of a wide variety of lake types. Aglaodiaptomus leptopus is sensitive to fish predation and confined to small lakes without fish. Leptodiaptomus ashlandi is restricted to Lakes Michigan and Superior, but L. sicilis is also found in some inland lakes. Leptodiaptomus minutus is a boreal species found mostly in lakes of the far north. Skistodiaptomus oregonensis is the most commonly occurring calanoid and seems well adapted to lakes of the meso-to low eutrophic types. Skistodiaptomus pallidus is also generally distributed throughout the state, but less common than oregonensis and adapted to more eutrophic lakes. Leptodiaptomus siciloides and A. clavipes are western species, adapted to eutrophic lakes, which are expanding their ranges eastward, aided by cultural eutrophication.