Zooplankton of an urban stretch, Itapecerica river, Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this project was to study the zooplanktonic composition of the Itapecerica river in its 29km urban section across the city of Divinópolis, state of Minas Gerais. Eight sampling points were established within this section, six in lotic and two in lentic waters. Samples were taken monthly from March/2002 to February/2003 totalizing 84 samples. A plankton net with a mesh opening size of 35 μm was utilized for sampling. Temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity measurements were also taken during sampling. 101 taxa were registered, of which 35 were Protozoa, 52 Rotifera, 10 Cladocera and four Copepoda. The number of taxa was considered high when compared to similar studies. Among the richest group, rotifers, the most expressed genera were Lecane and Brachionus. This study recorded the first appearance of the exotic species Kellicottia bostoniensis (Rousselet 1908) for the sub-basin of Itapecerica river.