Zooplankton assemblages of the Myall Lakes; A unique coastal lake system of New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

The Myall Lakes are a large coastal lake system located approximately 50km north of Newcastle, Australia. The three main lakes are generally fresh to brackish, with salinity often varying between the lakes at any one time, due to their unique hydrology and long water residence times. Sampling in November 2001 found the zooplankton assemblages to be comprised of crustaceans (copepods, prawn larvae, crab zoea, ostrocods and amphipods), insects, isopods, molluscs, rotifers, water mites and worms (polychaete and oligochaete). Zooplankton assemblages varied spatially as a reflection of salinity and habitat. At a coarse taxonomic level, the zooplankton of the Myall Lakes appear to be similar to those recorded in the 1970’s.