Comparison of the density and species composition of aquatic invertebrates found between the roots of Eichhornia crassipes plants from two coastal lakes in northern KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

The aquatic invertebrates found between the roots of Eichhornia crassipes plants from Lakes Cubhu and Nsezi were analysed and compared with each other. Root samples in Lake Cubhu were dominated by Corophium triaenonyx and Caridina nilotica whilst root samples from Lake Nsezi were dominated by oligochaetes, cladocerans and copepods. Species distribution within the lakes also differed as Lake Cubhu displayed a strong spatial variation whereas there was a temporal variation in Lake Nsezi. Although the differences in spatial/temporal variation cannot be adequately explained from the data presented, community structure is most probably related to specific physical conditions present within the lakes.


Keywords: aquatic invertebrates; Eichhornia crassipes; coastal lakes


(Afr J Aqua Sci: 2001 26(1): 57-66)