Checklist of zooplankton from the upper Ipanema River (Pernambuco), an intermittent river in semi-arid Brazil

Abstract

The present study aimed to survey the zooplankton composition (Rotifera, Cladocera and Copepoda) in the upper Ipanema River, an intermittent river affluent of the São Francisco River in semi-arid Brazil. Sampling was performed during the wet (April and July 2007) and dry (October 2007 and January 2008) periods. Thirty species were recorded, Rotifera being the richest with 25 species. Among the Rotifera families recorded, Brachionidae and Lecanidae showed greater number of species, in contrast with lower richness of Cladocera and Copepoda.