Spatial and temporal distribution of non-marine ostracods in a small crater lake: Lake Karagöl (Dikili, İzmir, Turkey)

Abstract

The Ostracoda fauna of a volcanic Mediterranean lake (Lake Karagol, Dikili, Izmir, Turkey) was studied in order to determine the annual and spatial variability of Ostracoda assemblage according to environmental conditions. We investigated the distributional patterns and habitat preferences of ostracods in Lake Karagol, recording 10 taxa from the lake. The Ostracoda assemblage was sampled seasonally during May, June, September, and November in 2009 and water quality variables were monitored over the same period. The Ostracoda fauna of Lake Karagol was found to be very limited with only 10 species. Potamocypris arcuata and Heterocypris salina were the dominant ostracod species, comprising 28.1% of the ostracod population. Salinity, pH, salinity conductivity, and water temperature seemed to be the main environmental factors affecting the Ostracoda community.