Coupling of seasonal variations in the zooplankton community within the limnetic and littoral zones of a shallow pond

Seasonal dynamics of zooplankton were investigated in three different habitats of the shallow and temperate Kaclezsky pond (Czech Republic) during 2003-2004. The studied habitats included the limnetic zone and two littoral zones, each dominated by a different type of emergent macrophyte, reed grass (Glyceria maxima) and common reed (Phragmites australis). Species richness (calculated as number of taxa) was higher in both littoral zones than in the limnetic zone. The seasonal development of limnetic and littoral zooplankton communities differed. In contrast to the two littoral zones, close correlation with chlorophyll-a concentration was found for rotifers and cladocerans in the limnetic zone. Moreover, cladocerans inhabiting littoral areas (mainly Bosmina longirostris) reached annual maxima during spring when chlorophyll-a concentrations were low.