Zooplankton of an Australian high alpine lake, Lake Cootapatamba, Kosciusko Range

Abstract

The zooplankton of Lake Cootapatamba, the highest (2070 m) alpine cirque lake in continental Australia, was sampled monthly during the ice-free periods of 1981 and 1982. Eleven taxa were identified, the zooplankton being dominated by Boeckella montana, B, pseudochelae, Daphnia nivalis, and in one month, Keratella slacki. Partial correlations with physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity, O₂ and temperature) indicated no strong and consistent trends with zooplankton numbers. In addition to possible competitive effects between K. slacki and the crustaceans (marked by strong spatial and temporal segregation), circumstantial evidence is produced for a direct control by food on the major population changes in 1981 and 1982.