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The Dynamics of a Planktonic Microcrustacean Community in a Small North Central Texas Pond Ecosystem (open access)

The Dynamics of a Planktonic Microcrustacean Community in a Small North Central Texas Pond Ecosystem

Seven species of planktonic microcrustacea were identified from the North Texas State University Golf Course Pond. Total adult microcrustacean community density, biomass and biocontent, and seasonal cycles of each species were compared with northern populations. Species diversity and evenness indices were highest in summer and lowest in spring. Variations in microcrustacean density showed a positive correlation with density of phytoplankton. Temperature had a direct effect on metabolic rates of two species of copepods. Metabolic rates of pond species were lower at common temperatures than those of northern populations. An estimate of annual energy flow through the pond ecosystem showed cladocerans contributed the greater percentage of total energy to the next trophic level.
Date: December 1976
Creator: Smith, George Arthur
System: The UNT Digital Library