Freshwater sponges and their associated invertebrates in the Great Lakes Basin (Mongolia)

Abstract

The Great Lakes Depression is a large semi-arid region, whose freshwater invertebrate fauna is poorly known. Examining 37 waterbodies, we found freshwater sponges Eunapius fragilis and Spongilla lacustris (fragments) in the only one small river. Invertebrate species complex found on the sponges comprises nine species, their contribution to the assemblage was assessed by the metabolic intensity index.