Removal of parasite free-living stages by predators has previously been suggested an important factor controlling parasite transmission in aquatic habitats. Experimental studies of zooplankton predation on macroparasite larvae are, however, scarce. We tested whether trematode cercariae, which are often numerous in shallow waters, are suitable prey for syntopic zooplankters. Feeding rates and survival of freshwater cyclopoids (Megacyclops viridis, Macrocyclops distinctus), calanoids (Arctodiaptomus paulseni), cladocerans (Sida crystallina) and rotifers Asplanchna spp., fed with cercariae of Diplostomum pseudospathaceum, a common fish trematode, were studied. In additional long-term experiments, we studied reproduction of cyclopoids fed with cercariae. All tested zooplankton species consumed cercariae. The highest feeding rates were observed for cyclopoids (33 ± 12 cercariae ind−1 h−1), which actively reproduced (up to one egg clutch day−1) when fed ad libitum with cercariae. Their reproductive characteristics did not change significantly with time, indicating that cercariae supported cyclopoids’ dietary needs. Mortality of rotifers and cladocerans was high (25–28% individuals) when exposed to cercariae in contrast to cyclopoids and calanoids (<2%). Cercariae clogged the filtration apparatus of cladocerans and caused internal injuries in predatory rotifers, which ingested cercariae. Observed trophic links between common freshwater zooplankters and cercariae may significantly influence food webs and parasite transmission in lentic ecosystems.

The role of both natural and artificial ponds in supporting biodiversity and as an infrequent habitat for aquatic organisms in urban areas may be greater than that in more rural landscapes. Moreover, biological succession and the dynamics of zooplankton can differ in urban ponds where we may observe a specific combination of environmental factors (e.g., an increase of eutrophication and pollution) compared to other water ecosystems. Therefore, ten urban artificial ponds were examined and the type of direct catchment area was established as the most important factor in the determination of zooplankton distribution. Different environmental factors structured zooplankton distribution between forest and meadow ponds. Low concentrations of oxygen as well as lack of fish, which was an effect of high concentrations of ammonium nitrogen, were responsible for the occurrence of littoral species and large crustacean species (e.g., Daphnia hyalina and Megacyclops viridis) in the case of forest ponds. Fish predation on large crustaceans and favourable food conditions (high concentration of chlorophyll a) created suitable conditions for the occurrence of pelagic species (e.g., Keratella cochlearis and K. quadrata) in the case of meadow ponds. Moreover, soon after the ice cover melted and before new macrophytes developed, previous-year dry rush stems created valuable refuge conditions for zooplankton in this type of pond. Despite anthropogenic pollution resulting from the close vicinity of the agglomeration of Poznań and unfavourable conditions attributed to the spring season a diverse zooplankton community occurred, reaching the level of 119 species in total.

Restoration projects in wetlands are becoming increasingly frequent to recover or to create new aquatic ecosystems, after the significant impact and high degradation they have undergone. In the present study, we focused on the changes in the zooplankton community in a permanent peridunal pond where a restoration was carried out in order to increase its surface as a main objective. For this purpose, the community was compared before and after the restoration (15 years before, the year after and between 3 and 6 years later). Significant changes in environmental variables were observed after pond restoration: chlorophyll a concentration decreased and dissolved oxygen increased. Substantial modifications in the aquatic community were also observed, since species richness and diversity increased after restoration: a large number of new species appeared (84%, mainly cladocerans), from external or internal sources. In addition, zooplankton community structure and composition changed from a low specific richness community copepod-dominated in density (mostly nauplii) before restoration, to another one with higher richness and different composition co-dominated in density by rotifers and nauplii, but with greater abundance of cladoceran species. All this suggests an important change in the ecological functioning of the pond, mainly produced by improvement in habitat heterogeneity and water quality after restoration.

In order to determine the influence of lentic habitats and macrophyte stands on the plankton development and seston flux, an investigation of zooplankton was carried out in the karst Jankovac flow-through system (Papuk Nature Park, Croatia). The system was characterized by low abundance (1–116 ind.L−1) and high diversity of identified zooplankton. Eighty-six taxa were recorded, comprising 57 rotifers, 15 cladocerans, 8 copepods and 6 members of other groups of organisms. The spatial oscillations of environmental parameters and biocoenosis assemblage revealed statistically significant differences between lotic and lentic habitats, as well as between vegetated and non-vegetated stations. These differences mainly respond to higher concentration of food resources and zooplankton/zooseston abundance and biomass in lentic, especially vegetated, habitats. This is also proved by results of principal component analysis (PCA), which suggested that the main drivers of development of the planktonic community were the food resources and the avoidance of flow velocity. Accordingly, shoreline areas with submerged macrophyte stands of Hippuris vulgaris L. were the most productive parts, represented by highest zooplankton abundance, biomass and biodiversity. Flow velocity significantly affected crustaceans assemblage, so that higher abundances of the larger cladocerans and copepods were achieved in vegetated stations with low flow velocity, while rotifers showed to be rheotolerance organisms. On the other hand, the longitudinal discontinuum of the stream channel by two man-made reservoirs could offer new habitats to enrich seston with organic particles and bioseston. The results of our study pronounce the need for further monitoring of this hydrosystem, especially considering biodiversity and microhabitats conservation.

We investigated crustacean zooplankton communities and their relationships to environmental factors in 13 lakes of Yunnan-Guizhou plateau to determine whether there is a consistent relationship between trophic indicators and crustacean zooplankton biomass or size structure. The lakes showed a wide range of trophic status, with total phosphorus (TP) ranging from 0.013 to 0.268 mg.L−1, and chlorophyll a from 0.9 to 76.26 μg.L−1. Continuous stocking with exotic planktivorous fish had taken place on a wide scale in these plateau lakes. About 36 species of Crustacea were found, of which Cladocera were represented by 20 taxa (12 genera), and Copepoda by 16 taxa (13 genera). Canonical correspondence analysis partitioned these species into two clusters. Physicochemical features and food-webs of different lakes seemed to be the key factors determining zooplankton species composition and distribution patterns. Between the 13 lakes, there was no significant relationship between cladocerans and chlorophyll a suggesting phytoplankton biomass was little controlled by macrozooplankton. The positive correlation between chlorophyll a and copepods suggested the high copepods biomass or size structure caused by the invasion of exotic planktivorous fish had a negative effect on water quality.

The changes in the dynamics of cladocerans in Lake Vela (Portugal), as well as the morphologic and life history traits of the small-bodied cladoceran Ceriodaphnia pulchella, were studied intensively during one month characterized by deep and fast changes in the phytoplankton community: the beginning of the cyanobacteria dominance. Lake Vela, located in the Mediterranean region, is a polymictic shallow lake exhibiting characteristics typical of an advanced trophic status, namely the permanently turbid water, the reduction in biodiversity and the occurrence of cyanobacteria blooms. The density and composition of the cladocerans populations varied considerably during the short-term period analyzed. Coincident with the increase of cyanobacteria, the density of Daphnia longispina decreased drastically, associated with an increase of Bosmina longirostris and Chydorus sp. The constant density of C. pulchella, even during the cyanobacteria dominance, and the strong relationship found between weight and size, suggests that the low quality of phytoplanktonic food in Lake Vela did not play an important role in its fitness. Besides the small size of C. pulchella, this fact could be also related to its diversified diet. Nevertheless, a closer examination of the life history parameters of C. pulchella revealed a reduction in the fecundity, size at first reproduction, mean size of ovigerous females and maximum size of the population, which suggest an increase of the fish pressure after the decline of Daphnia. C. pulchella showed also a short-life cycle and a fast turnover of individuals, which constitutes also an advantage, allowing a fast adaptive response of the population.

The predatory behavior of adult females of Thermocyclops decipiens in relation to two cladoceran prey, Ceriodaphnia cornutaand Diaphanosoma spinulosum, was analyzed by laboratory observations. The number of attacks, captures, and ingestionswere quantified. Probabilities of capture after attack (C/A) and ingestion after capture (I/C) were calculated as indicators of preypost-encounter vulnerability. T. decipiens attacked, captured and ingested both cladoceran species, but vulnerabilities of preywere relatively low. C/A was higher in C. cornuta than in D. spinulosum. Larger individuals of D. spinulosum showed higherC/A and I/C than smaller individuals but no effects of size were observed in C. cornuta. The ability of escape as well as thestrength and shape of carapace, seem to partially explain differences in vulnerability among these species. Our results suggestthat intensity of mechanical perturbations and other size-dependent factors, but not body size alone, could be important in determiningpost-encounter prey vulnerability among individuals of a same species.

Zooplankton biomass was investigated monthly from September 1997 to August 1998 in a shallow eutrophic lake (San Miguel del Monte, Argentina). Duplicate samples of zooplankton were obtained from three stations with different limnological characteristics. The density of zooplankton community was dominated by rotifers and small cladocerans related to the trophic status of this shallow lake. The zooplankton biomass showed similar values to other eutrophic shallow lakes. The annual biomass distribution was bimodal (winter and summer peaks). The contribution of crustaceans, mainly copepods, determined the total biomass. The total zooplankton biomass was significantly correlated with chlorophyll «a» in the sampling station located at the deep part of this shallow lake. There were factors and processes promoting changes in the zooplankton biomass, such as food availability, grazing ability, fish predation, eutrophication process with alternation of turbid and clear water periods, and also the addition of organisms from the Salado River during floods.

Deux nouvelles espèces de Cladocères ont été découvertes dans du matériel pélagique et littoral de plusieurs corps d'eaux du bassin moyen de l'Orénoque. Bosminopsis macaguensis n. sp. est régulièrement présente dans le peuplement pélagique de Macagua, lac de retenue sur le fleuve Caroni, affluent de l'Orénoque. La population est comparée à une des populations de Bosminopsis deitersi qui colonisent les autres milieux pélagiques de cette région. La comparaison est effectuée tant au niveau des mâles que des femelles. Alona ovata n. sp. a été récoltée dans la zone littorale d'un lac du système d'inondation de l'Orénoque. Elle se distingue de toutes les autres espèces du genre par la forme et l'armature du post-abdomen.