Martin, T.J. & D.P. Cyrus. (1994). Zooplankton in the open water areas of Lake Cubhu, a freshwater coastal lake in Zululand, South Africa. Water SA. 20(2):107-112.

509344

Martin, T.J. & D.P. Cyrus

1994

20(2):107-112.

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A preliminary investigation of the zooplankton in the open water areas of Lake Cubhu, a shallow, freshwater coastal lake near Richards Bay was conducted on a monthly basis during 1988. Species densities and species richness in the lake were low. The zooplankton community comprised 15 taxa which were numerically dominated by 2 species of cyclopoid copepods, Paracyclops poppei and Microcyclops crassipes, throughout the year. Other than some minor fluctuations in densities between the 2 major cyclopoids species, no significant changes were evident in the community structure, numerical abundance or seasonal densities of the different species between sampling stations. Lake Cubhu follows a similar pattern to many other African subtropical and tropical coastal lakes in having very limited production. Chlorophyll a values measured over a 2-year period seldom exceeded 4 µg-1. The main factor limiting zooplankton numbers in the lake is a low primary productivity which can be related to clear, shallow water and a restricted nutrient input.

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