Crustáceos y rotíferos de la laguna del Tesoro (Cuba)

Abstract

CRUSTACEANS A N D ROTIFERS O F T H E "LAGUNA DEL TESORO" (CUBA)I n this paper a listof aquaticCrustacea and Rotatoria recorded during a visit to "Laguna del Tesoro" in Jannuary of 1983 is presented.The lagoon is situated in [he North-Easr of the "Cienaga de Zapata". The waters are fresh chloride-alkaline and cover on area of 700 Ha.The Rotifera and Crustacea's community is very rich in species; 13 Rotatoria, 20 Entomostraca and a Amphipoda have been identified. Thecommunity is divided into two very clear subcommunities: a planktonicand a heleoplanktonicone. The he!eoplanktonic community is found in the abundant macrophytic vegetation, and is particularly interesting due to its complexity and especies. The biology of some of these species as CycLertheria hislopi, Chydorus cilzatus and Microcyclops ceibaenrir, is not well known.The "Laguna del Tesoro" exemplifies a nature tropical lacustrine ecosystem. A study of this lagoon could provide valuable data for the general knowledge about these systems and in particular, provide a welcome contribution to knowledge about the epicontinental waters of Cuba.