The Species and Size Composition of Tropical Freshwater Zooplankton with Special Reference to the Oriental Region (South East Asia)

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Abstract
A contrast between temperate and tropical Cladocera, Copepoda and Rotifera zooplankton fauna shows a markedly different size composition and species diversity. There are fewer species, and these are generally smaller in the tropics than in either the North or South Temperate Zones. Larger species of the generaDaphniaandSimocephalusare relatively rare in the tropics, while members ofEurycerusandSayciaare absent. Members of the families Holopedidae, Leptodoridae and Polyphemidae increase in abundance toward the temperate regions. Two small cyclopoid copepods are common in tropical zooplankton, while many of the common larger species of other regions are absent or very rare. The chief rotifer components areKeratella tropicaand species ofBrachionus.