Cladocera and Copepoda of the shallow eutrophic Lake in Natura 2000 area in western Poland

Scarcity of knowledge on the distribution of freshwater cladocera and copepoda is obvious due to small number of faunistic investigations. especially copepods have been usually omitted during hydrobiological research. the aim of the study was to describe the species composition of cladocera and copepoda in the kierskie male lake which is a part of natura 2000 system in western poland. using various sampling methods 32 species of both groups were collected. moreover,two species of copepoda new for polish fauna and some other rare species were found,indicating high species richness of studied habitats. ceratophyllum patch was the most diversified habitat,where crustaceans were the most abundant as well. however,the largest number of species was found in pelagic station. valuable information about species distribution of planktonic crustaceans in lake kierskie male - part of natura 2000 net - were provided with this study. copyright 2013 zoological society of pakistan.