极端水文干旱下鄱阳湖浮游动物群落结构特征及其影响因素

2022年鄱阳湖流域发生了特大干旱事件,对鄱阳湖生态环境产生了严重影响。为揭示极端水文干旱年的鄱阳湖浮游动物群落结构特征及其主要影响因素,于2022年1月(冬季)、4月(春季)、7月(夏季)和10月(秋季)对鄱阳湖浮游动物进行了综合调查。本次调查共鉴定出浮游动物70种(轮虫40种、桡足类17种和枝角类13种),丰度和生物量范围分别为0—152.67个/L和0—1.52 mg/L。浮游动物群落结构具有较大的时空差异：在季节上,物种数夏季最多,丰度和生物量呈现夏季最高、秋季最低的特征,干旱季节的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和优势种组成明显不同于非干旱季节;在空间上,南部湖区的物种数、丰度、生物量高于北部湖区,多样性指数在中部湖区最高、北部湖区最低。极端水文干旱年的物种数、丰度和生物量均明显低于往年同期,但空间上的差异较小。相关性分析和冗余分析结果表明,浮游动物群落结构在干旱季节和非干旱季节的主要影响因素存在明显差异,其中干旱季节浮游动物群落结构主要受水温、水位、硝态氮、氨氮等的共同影响,非干旱季节受化学需氧量和水位的影响较大。总体上,极端水文干旱使得鄱阳湖浮游动物群落结构稳定性较...     

北部湾近岸海域浮游动物群落结构特征及季节变化

2017年3月(枯水期)、7月(丰水期)和10月(平水期)分别对北部湾近岸海域44个站位的浮游动物进行了调查。结果共检出浮游动物251种和浮游幼体24类,其中枯水期138种(类),丰水期134种(类),平水期191种(类),分属河口低盐、近岸暖温、近岸暖水和外海暖水4个生态类群。优势种9种,其中枯水期以原生动物占绝对优势,丰水期以枝角类、桡足类和浮游幼体类占优势,平水期以十足类和浮游幼体类占优势。浮游动物丰度年均值为789.95个/m~3,呈现出枯水期(1540.19个/m~3)明显高于平水期(457.58个/m~3)和丰水期(372.08个/m~3)的季节变化特征;浮游动物生物量年均值为252.40 mg/m~3,生物量的季节变化与丰度变化不一致,平水期生物量(385.01 mg/m~3)明显高于枯水期(221.41 mg/m~3)和丰水期(150.78 mg/m~3)。多样性指数平水期最高(3.16),丰水期(2.35)次之,枯水期(2.22)最低。枯水期和丰水期北部湾近岸海域浮游动物生物量和丰度水平分布特征基本呈现自河口近岸海域向外海递增的趋势,平水期浮游动物生物量与丰度的空间分布较为均匀。浮游动物的种类组成结构以及优势种的演替对浮游动物的生物量和丰度季节变化有着重要的决定作用。径流导致的悬浮物、营养盐等的变化可能是决定北部湾近岸海域浮游动物生物量和丰度空间分布的主要因素。研究还表明与其他海湾相比,北部湾近岸海域浮游动物群落结构趋于小型化,需加大关注。     

舟山海域夏、秋季浮游动物的分布特征及其与环境因子的关系

为更好地了解舟山海域浮游动物的群落结构、生物量和丰度的时空分布特征及其与主要环境因子的关系,分别于2014年7月和10月进行了夏季、秋季两次生态综合调查,并用多维尺度分析法、典范对应分析法对浮游动物群落结构进行了研究。结果表明:夏季舟山海域调查的浮游动物有13类,64种,优势种为背针胸刺水蚤(Centropages dorsispinatus)、圆唇角水蚤(Labidocera rotunda)、中华哲水蚤(Calanus sinicus)、精致真刺水蚤(Euchaeta concinna)、百陶带箭虫(Zonosagitta bedoti)和真刺唇角水蚤(Labidocera euchaeta);秋季鉴定到浮游动物12类,45种,优势种为背针胸刺水蚤(Centropages dorsispinatus)、百陶带箭虫(Zonosagitta bedoti)、双生水母(Diphyes chamissonis)、瓜水母(Beroёcucumis)和中华哲水蚤。夏季浮游动物平均丰度及平均生物量(144.0 ind/m3和176.3 mg/m~3)都分别高于秋季(21.4个/m3和86.3 mg/m3);Shannon-Wiener多样性指数夏季(3.03)高于秋季(2.82),Pielou均匀度指数则是秋季(0.83)高于夏季(0.64);夏季不同区域浮游动物群落之间具有明显的差异,而秋季大部分站位群落之间差异不显著;温度、盐度、叶绿素a浓度和营养盐含量是影响舟山海域浮游动物分布的主要环境因子;与历史资料相比,舟山海域浮游动物丰度及生物量呈下降趋势,其优势种保持较稳定。     

舟山海域大中型浮游动物群落时空变化及受控要素

为更好地保护舟山海域的渔业资源和生态环境,了解舟山海域浮游动物组成的时空变化,于2014年到2017年对舟山海域33个站位开展4个季节的生态综合调查,结果表明:4个航次共鉴定出浮游动物成体88种和浮游幼体19类,优势种共12种,浮游动物的优势种更替和群落特征季节变化明显,春夏、夏秋、秋冬、冬春相邻季节优势种更替率分别为75%、80%、100%和60%;平均生物量为夏季(176.34 mg/m³)>春季(120.20 mg/m³)和秋季(86.28 mg/m³)>冬季(7.21 mg/m³);平均丰度为夏季(143.97个/m³)>春季(86.30个/m³)>秋季(21.38个/m³)和冬季(26.86个/m³);平均多样性指数:夏季(3.03)>秋季(2.82)>春季(2.05)>冬季(1.71)。舟山海域浮游动物群落具有明显的季节和区域差异,温度、盐度、Chl a和营养盐是影响舟山浮游动物群落时空变化的主要环境因素,其中春季浮游动物群落空间分布主要受盐度的影响,夏季主要受温度、盐度和Chl a的影响,秋季主要受Chl a的影响,冬季主要受悬浮物和溶解氧的影响,而营养盐对每个季节的浮游动物群落分布都有一定的影响。     

象山港浮游动物群落结构时空变化的定量驱动分析

采用浮游生物 I 型网与 II 型网 , 在象山港进行了浮游动物季节性取样, 结合现场监测环境因子, 分析了浮游动物群落结构的时空差异及其环境驱动因子。结果显示: 共得 12 类浮游动物幼体、 75 种浮游动物。象山港浮游动物小型化特征明显 , 平均丰度 3 796.7 ind⋅m–3。周年优势种类是针刺拟哲水蚤 (Paracalanus aculeatus)、强额拟哲水蚤(Paracalanuscrassirostris)、短角长腹剑水蚤 (Oithona brevicornis)和桡足幼体, 其中 , 针刺拟哲水蚤为时空群落贡献最大物种。 ANOSIM 和SIMPER 分析显示, 浮游动物群落的季节性差异显著, 主要判别种类有: 太平洋纺锤水蚤(Acartia pacifica)、长尾基齿哲水蚤(Clausocalanus furcatus)、墨氏胸刺水蚤(Centropages mcmurrichi)、强额拟哲水蚤、伪长腹剑水蚤(Oithona fallax)、瘦尾胸刺水蚤(Centropages tenuiremis)、背针胸刺水蚤(Centropages dorsispinatus)和瓣鳃类幼虫。浮游动物群落空间上也存在显著差异 , 港口区以大个体或适高盐为主 , 港底区以小个体和幼虫为主。空间上主要判别种类是 : 强额拟哲水蚤、太平洋纺锤水蚤、短角长腹剑水蚤、桡足类幼体和瓣鳃类幼虫。基于距离的冗余分析(dbRDA, Distance-based redundancy analysis)显示, 驱动浮游动物群落结构变化的主要因子是水温、盐度和 pH, 3 个变量可解释浮游动物群落结构的 53.0%, 其中 , 水温是驱动季节群落变化的主要因子, 而驱动空间群落变化的主要因子是盐度和 pH。     

浙江三门湾浮游动物优势种空间生态位

生态位与种间竞争、资源利用密切联系,体现了物种在群落中利用资源的能力.为探明三门湾浮游动物分布格局的形成和影响因素,分别采用Shannon公式和Petrailis指数测定了浮游动物优势种生态位宽度和生态位重叠,并通过典范对应分析研究生态位分化状况.结果表明：百陶带箭虫、背针胸刺水蚤、短尾类幼虫等沿岸种的空间生态位较宽,而肥胖软箭虫、中华假磷虾等外海种的空间生态位较窄;具有捕食 被捕食关系的不同类群物种（如箭虫、仔鱼和水母分别与桡足类）有较高的生态位重叠,而同一类群物种（如桡足类及箭虫）间的生态位重叠值较低;浮游动物分布受温度、盐度和叶绿素a的影响较大,受营养盐影响较小.浮游动物空间生态位与生活类型、种间竞争、摄食等多种因素相关.
     

环境因子对唐山湾海域浮游动物群落结构的驱动作用

为研究唐山湾海域浮游动物群落结构与环境因子的关系,于2015年4月(春季)、7月(夏季)、10月(秋季)和12月(冬季)对唐山湾海域浮游动物群落结构、环境因子进行航次调查,并利用多元统计分析和相关分析法分析了浮游动物群落结构的时空变化及其主要环境驱动因子.结果表明: 影响唐山湾海域浮游动物丰度的主要环境因素为无机氮(DIN)、悬浮物(SS)、水温(T)和叶绿素a(Chl a);唐山湾海域浮游动物群落结构的空间差异主要受溶解氧(DO)、T和Chla的驱动;在唐山湾不同海域中,影响浮游动物群落结构的因素存在差异,其中乐亭海域和三岛海域浮游动物群落结构的主要影响因素为物理因素,曹妃甸海域则主要受化学因素的影响.这表明在唐山湾人类活动影响强度大的海域,浮游动物群落结构更多地受化学因素影响(DIN、活性磷酸盐),而人类活动影响小的海域则更多地受物理因素的影响(T、SS).     

浙江水源地水库浮游动物丰度和生物量与水质参数的通径分析

为探明浙江水源地水库浮游动物群落特征及与环境因子的关系, 达到用浮游动物群落参数监测水源地水库水质的目的。于2014年1月至2016年10月, 对10个饮用水源地水库(K1—K10)展开了水质参数、浮游动物丰度和生物量的季节调查。采用多元逐步回归与通径分析的方法, 研究了浙江水源地水库环境因子与浮游动物群落之间的相互关系和作用过程。结果表明, 2014—2016年水库浮游动物平均密度97.5 ind./L, 主要由桡足类无节幼体(占36.3%)、轮虫(28.4%)和剑水蚤(20.0%)组成。平均生物量289.3 μg/L, 主要由枝角类(占39.3%)、剑水蚤(29.0%)和哲水蚤(14.5%)组成。Chl. a含量是春、夏季水库浮游动物丰度的决策因子, TP含量是秋、冬季群落丰度波动的限制因子, 春季TN通过N﹕P比率影响群落丰度。DO含量是冬季和夏季水库浮游动物生物量发展的决策因子, 冬季DO通过降低N﹕P比促进群落生物量发展。水库浮游动物现存量受到了TP含量消长、N﹕P比率变化, 以及最终反映的水体Chl.a含量共同影响。     

钦州湾秋季和春季浮游动物分布特征及影响因素

为了解钦州湾浮游动物群落的时空分布特征及与主要环境因子的关系,于2014年10月和2015年3月进行了秋季和春季两航次的调查。结果表明:该海湾的浮游动物群落有明显的季节变化。秋季共鉴定出12类87种,其中优势种有太平洋纺锤水蚤(Acartia pacifica)、肥胖三角溞(Evadne tergestina)、亨生莹虾(Lucifer hanseni)、百陶箭虫(Sagitta bedoti)和长尾类幼虫(Macrura larvae);春季共鉴定出11类48种,优势种为中华哲水蚤(Calanus sinicus)和太平洋纺锤水蚤;秋季浮游动物的平均丰度、生物量和多样性指数(528.92个/m~3、110.60 mg/m~3和2.22)均高于春季(48.30个/m~3、61.10 mg/m~3和1.70)。空间分布上,钦州湾外湾浮游动物丰度、生物量和多样性指数的平均值皆高于内湾。多维尺度分析表明,秋季内湾群落相似性较高,春季外湾浮游动物群落相似性较高。相关性分析表明盐度与营养盐是影响钦州湾浮游动物分布的主要环境因子。与2011—2012年数据相比,钦州湾浮游动物群落结构已趋于单一化和小型化,以致生物量明显下降。这一现象主要与钦州湾海水富营养化以及大面积高密度牡蛎养殖有密切的关系。     

贵州草海后生浮游动物群落季节动态特征及与环境因子的关系

为研究草海后生浮游动物群落动态特征及与环境因子的关系, 于 2016 年 10 月和 2017 年 1 月、4 月、7 月对 草海后生浮游动物群落进行四次生态调查, 并运用非度量多维尺度分析(Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis, NMDS)、冗余分析(Redundancy analysis, RDA)对后生浮游动物群落结构进行了研究。共鉴定出后生浮游动物 45 种, 以轮虫种类为主(32 种)。后生浮游动物丰度的季节性差异显著, 春季最高(5287 ind.·L-1), 冬季最低(73.20 ind.·L-1); 生物量的季节性差异显著, 春季最高(18.30 mg·L-1), 夏季最低(1.50 mg·L-1)。螺形龟甲轮虫(Keratella cochlearis)、矩形龟甲轮虫(K. quadrala)、萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)为主要优势种。春季、夏季均以螺形龟甲轮虫为优势种类; 秋季、冬季没有明显的优势种。通过非度量多维尺度分析获得样品的空间定位点图, 四季分明, 反映出群落结构的水文季节性特征。冗余分析(RDA)表明, 水温(Water temperature, WT)、透明度(Secchi disk depth, SD)是影响草海后生浮游动物群落结构的关键因子, 营养盐、pH、叶绿素 a(Chlorophyll-a, Chl a)是影响草海后生浮游动物群落结构的重要因素。     

象山港春季网采浮游植物的分布特征及其影响因素

根据2010年春季象山港28个站位的网采样品,共鉴定出浮游植物6门55属158种,其中硅藻135种(占总丰度的99.0%),甲藻18种,其余门类(金藻、蓝藻、绿藻和隐藻)5种。浮游植物平均丰度为35.29×104个/m3,其分布呈较强的斑块状(3.41×104—142.35×104个/m3),高值区位于横山至白石山水域及乌沙山电厂邻近水域。Shannon-Weiner多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数总体表现为港口和港口外高于港中部和港底。琼氏圆筛藻(Coscinodiscus jonesianus)为绝对优势种,其丰度(284.97×103个/m3)占总丰度的80.8%。典范对应分析结果显示,影响浮游植物群落的主要因子依次为透明度、悬浮物、温度、水深和氮磷比。光照充足、电厂温排水适度温升、营养盐丰富和氮磷比合适(接近Redfield比值16)导致了港内微藻旺发。受径流、水交换和海洋开发等影响,象山港的理化参数表现了明显的斑块和梯度分布,这为浮游植物的生长提供了不同类型的生境,客观上造成了其分布的空间异质性。聚类、多维尺度和相似性分析结果表明,港底、港中部、港口至港口外区域间的群落组成差异较大。结合历史数据分析表明,象山港浮游植物丰度的升高及群落结构的改变与电厂运行、水产养殖、临港工业发展和滩涂围垦等海洋开发活动有关。     

兴化湾浮游动物群落季节变化和水平分布

兴化湾为福建北部最大的海湾,于2006年对该海湾浮游动物群落进行了四季9个站位的调查。共检出浮游动物及幼虫124种,其中春季42种,夏季89种,秋季71种,冬季20种;分属近岸暖温、近岸暖水和广布外海3个生态类群;优势种15种,春季以水母和桡足类占优势,夏季以水母占优势,秋季以水母、桡足类和箭虫占优势,冬季则以桡足类占优势。不同季节兴化湾浮游动物生物量湿重和丰度水平分布特征变化明显,并与温度和盐度呈显著相关。聚类分析显示兴化湾浮游动物群落夏季类群和秋季类群相似度较高;各季节水平分布基本可分为湾口区和湾内区两大类群。与20世纪80年代相比,尽管本次调查浮游动物群落没有表现出显著差异,但随着电厂等大规模工程的投产,兴化湾海域生态系统健康面临着极大威胁,其环境压力需引起持续关注。     

Species composition,seasonal dynamics of quantities and spatial distribution of hydromedusae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) in Vostok bay of the Sea of Japan

Hydromedusae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) are one of the most common and widely spread plankton organisms. Due to their low quantities in the plankton and complicated species identification, they are poorly observed in zooplankton research works, especially in the Northwestern part of the Sea of Japan. The subjects of the present work are the seasonal dynamics of the spatial distribution and abundance of hydromedusae that inhabit Vostok bay (Peter the Great bay of the Sea of Japan), which were observed from April to November in 2002–2004. The timing of mature specimens was studied for different species. Eighteen species were found. Of these, Coryne sp., Tiaropsis multicirrata (Sars, 1835) and Neoturris breviconis (Murbach et Shearer, 1903) are the first records for Peter the Great Bay; the last two species are the first records for the Northwestern part of the Sea of Japan.     

Spatial heterogeneity as a multiscale characteristic of zooplankton community

Zooplankton spatial heterogeneity has profound effects on understanding and modelling of zooplankton population dynamics and interactions with other planktonic compartments, and consequently, on the structure and function of planktonic ecosystems. On the one hand, zooplankton heterogeneity at spatial and temporal scales of ecological interest is an important focus of aquatic ecology research because of its implications in models of productivity, herbivory, nutrient cycling and trophic interactions in planktonic ecosystems. On the other hand, estimating zooplankton spatial variation at the scale of an ecosystem, is a powerful tool to achieve accurate sampling design. This review concentrates on the spatial heterogeneity of marine and freshwater zooplankton with respect to scale. First to be examined are the concept of spatial heterogeneity, the sampling and statistical methods used to estimate zooplankton heterogeneity, and the scales at which marine and freshwater zooplankton heterogeneity occurs. Then, the most important abiotic and biotic processes driving zooplankton heterogeneity over a range of spatial scales are presented and illustrated by studies conducted over large and fine scales in both oceans and lakes. Coupling between abiotic and biotic processes is finally discussed in the context of the multiple driving forces hypothesis.Studies of zooplankton spatial heterogeneity refer both to the quantification of the degree of heterogeneity (measured heterogeneity) and to the estimation of the heterogeneity resulting from the interactions between the organisms and their environment (functional heterogeneity) (Kolasa & Rollo, 1991). To resolve the problem of measuring zooplankton patchiness on a wide range of spatial scales, advanced technologies (acoustic devices, the Optical Plankton Counter (OPC), and video systems) have been developed and tested in marine and freshwater ecosystems. A comparison of their potential applications and limitations is presented. Furthermore, many statistical tools have been developed to estimate the degree of measured heterogeneity; the three types most commonly used are indices of spatial aggregation, variance: mean ratio, and spatial analysis methods. The variance partitioning method proposed by Borcard et al. (1992) is presented as a promising tool to assess zooplankton functional heterogeneity.Nested patchiness is a common feature of zooplankton communities and spatial heterogeneity occurs on a hierarchical continuum of scales in both marine and freshwater environments. Zooplankton patchiness is the product of many physical processes interacting with many biological processes. In marine systems, patterns of zooplankton patchiness at mega- to macro-scales are mostly linked to large advective vectorial processes whereas at coarse-, fine- and micro-scales, physical turbulence and migratory, reproductive and swarm behaviors act together to structure zooplankton distribution patterns. In freshwater environments, physical advective forces related to currents of various energy levels, and vertical stratification of lake interact with biological processes, especially with vertical migration, to structure zooplankton community over large to fine- and micro-scales. Henceforth, the zooplankton community must be perceived as a spatially well-structured and dynamic system that requires a combination of both abiotic and biotic explanatory factors for a better comprehension and more realistic and reliable predictions of its ecology.     

Zooplankton distribution and diversity in a frontal area of the Aegean Sea

This study was carried out in the northern Aegean Sea during late summer and spring. The aim was to examine the spatial and temporal distribution of the zooplankton community across a dynamic frontal area and to investigate how the oceanographic heterogeneity structures the composition of the zooplankton assemblages. The low-salinity and cold Black Sea water coming from the Dardanelles Strait is modified by mixing with the underlying warm and saline Aegean water. These hydrological features result in a pronounced thermohaline front in the northern Aegean Sea throughout the year. In both seasons, zooplankton was collected using both 45 and 200 µm mesh plankton nets. A high abundance of zooplankton was observed in the surface layer at the stations closest to the Dardanelles Strait on the stratified side of the front. The zooplankton distribution and community structure in the northern Aegean Sea were strongly influenced by the hydrological features. The frontal structure acts as a boundary for the zooplankton community. The surface layer at the stratified stations had the lowest copepod diversity, from where it increased with depth and horizontally as the stratification weakened outside of the front. The total abundance of zooplankton collected with the 200 µm net was between two and 20 times lower than samples taken with the 45 µm net. The most pronounced differences were observed for the adults and copepodids of the small genera Oithona, Oncaea and Microsetella. Thus, to manage and understand the transfer of primary production up the food chain in the Aegean Sea, the smaller fraction of copepods should be taken into account in future investigations.     

Diel and tidal changes in the distribution and feeding habits of Japanese temperate bass Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles in the surf zone of Ariake Bay

Japanese temperate bass Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles recruit to the surf zone and grow by feeding on commonly occurring coastal copepods. However, little is known about diel and tidal patterns in their migration and feeding habits. We sampled wild juveniles during the neap and spring tides, over periods of 24 h, with small seine nets in the sand flat of the eastern part of Ariake Bay, Kyushu, western Japan. In both the neap and spring tides, abundance of juveniles significantly increased during the daytime, being highest around the time of high tide. The relative gut fullness indices of juveniles drastically increased in the morning (0700–0900) and during the flood tide in the daytime, while major prey copepod (Paracalanus spp.) density in the ambient water was relatively constant. We summarized that L. japonicus juveniles would migrate to the surf zone after sunrise to feed on copepods, and then emigrate from the surf zone after sunset. The migratory behavior of L. japonicus juveniles would be influenced by light (daytime) and feeding activity influenced by both light (morning) and tidal condition (flood tide). The intertidal region of the tidal flat was recognized to be one of the important habitats for L. japonicus during their early life history.     

The nature of zooplankton spatial heterogeneity in a nonriverine impoundment

Knowledge of spatial heterogeneity characteristic of reservoir plankton communities is fundamental to a variety of ecological studies. Degree of spatial heterogeneity in the zooplankton community of Center Hill Reservoir, with water residence times of 50–250 days, was positively correlated with rate of water influx. Important spatial differences resulted from the contrast between zooplankton associated with new and longer-impounded water. The nature of spatial heterogeneity differed fundamentally from the more riverine impoundments where spatial differences are often persistent and characterized by gradual change (as opposed to contrast) in plankton assemblages with respect to location. Magnitude of plankton spatial heterogeneity in nonriverine impoundments may be predictable from inflow rates. Areas, between which major differences in plankton communities exist, may also be definable from knowledge of inflow dispersal patterns in these impoundments.     

Habitat selection and diel distribution of the crustacean zooplankton from a shallow Mediterranean lake during the turbid and clear water phases

1. The fish fauna of many shallow Mediterranean Lakes is dominated by small‐bodied exotic omnivores, with potential implications for fish–zooplankton interactions still largely unknown. Here we studied diel variation in the vertical and horizontal distribution of the crustacean plankton in Lake Vela, a shallow polymictic and eutrophic lake. Diel sampling was carried out on three consecutive days along a horizontal transect, including an open‐water station and a macrophyte (Nymphaea alba) bed. Since transparency is a key determinant of the predation risk posed by fish, the zooplankton sampling campaigns were conducted in both the turbid (autumn) and clear water (spring) phases. 2. In the turbid phase, most taxa were homogeneously distributed along the vertical and horizontal axes in the three consecutive days. The only exception was for copepod nauplii, which showed vertical heterogeneity, possibly as a response to invertebrate predators. 3. In the clear water phase, most zooplankton taxa displayed habitat selection. Vertically, the general response consisted of a daily vertical migration (DVM), despite the limited depth (1.6 m). Horizontally, zooplankters showed an overall preference for the pelagic zone, independent of the time of the day. Such evidence is contrary to the postulated role of macrophytes as an anti‐predator refuge for the zooplankton. 4. These vertical (DVM) and horizontal (macrophyte‐avoidance) patterns were particularly conspicuous for large Daphnia, suggesting that predation risk from size‐selective predators (fish) was the main factor behind the spatial heterogeneity of zooplankton in the spring. Thus, the difference in the zooplankton spatial distribution pattern and habitat selection among seasons (turbid and clear water phases) seems to be mediated the predation risk from fish, which is directly related to water transparency. 5. The zooplankton in Lake Vela have anti‐predator behaviour that minimises predation from fish. We hypothesise that, due to the distinct fish community of shallow Mediterranean lakes, aquatic macrophytes may not provide adequate refuge to zooplankters, as seen in northern temperate lakes.