Publication details
Rybí predace jako klíčový faktor formující společenstva zooplanktonu nových tůní
| Title in English | Fish predation as a key factor shaping zooplankton communities of new pools |
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| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | In total, we sampled zooplankton from 49 ponds in South Moravia in 2021 and 2023 and monitored the influence of fish communities on the number of species, density and size structure of planktonic crustacean communities. Fish biomass emerged as a key predictor shaping the zooplankton communities of the new pools. Other significant variables were algal cover, submerged vegetation cover and littoral width. Zooplankton species richness was highest in fish-free pools or, conversely, in pools with diversified fish communities. At the same time, the size of species represented in the zooplankton community decreased with increasing number of fish species. The number of zooplankton species and the size structure of the community also decreased with increasing fish biomass. A more surprising result was the differential impact of different fish community types on planktonic crustaceans. Native species communities dominated by the sharp-bellied pearl mussel did not differ from fishless pools in their effect on zooplankton species richness. In contrast, communities dominated by eastern silverside, silver bream and common carp had a very negative effect on species richness. Total zooplankton density was not significantly affected by any of the modelled variables. The results of this study provide unique information on the influence of different fish community types on the zooplankton communities of new pools, providing important information for the implementation of new water bodies and their subsequent management. |