Local Faunistic Association of the Water Fleas (Crustacea: Cladocera) in the Water Bodies of Left Bank of the Lena River near Town of Yakutsk and Its Vicinities (Yakutia Russia)

Abstract

In this study, we investigated a species composition of the water fleas (Crustacea: Cladocera) in the water bodies of the left bank of the Lena River near Yakutsk and its vicinities. Local faunistic associations characteristics of this region were identified using a statistical approach based on the binomial distribution function. As a result of the study, 68 taxa were identified and eight very distinct groups of taxa constituting the cores of local faunistic associations of the branchiopod crustaceans in various water bodies and/or various biotopes within one water body were drawn out. We have demonstrated that the water bodies of the Lena River valley and the watershed differ both in species composition and in associations of the Cladocera. At least one species association of the Cladocera is confined to the ponds with a visible anthropogenic influence. Thus, it is possible to identify not only species that are typical for urban water bodies, but also local faunistic associations, the presence of which in the city indicates a significant anthropogenic pressure. At the same time, the identified clusters can be interpreted in terms of our knowledge of the individual species preferences to water bodies of different types and different ecological zones of a certain water body.