The vertical distribution and abundance of Gammarus lacustris in the pelagic zone of the meromictic lakes Shira and Shunet (Khakassia, Russia)

The vertical distribution and abundance of Gammarus lacustris in the pelagic zone of two fishless meromictic lakes, L. Shira and L. Shunet, in Southern Siberia (Russia), was studied with the underwater video recording system and using vertical hauls. In both lakes, during summer stratification, Gammarus was distributed non-homogenously, with a stable peak in the metalimnion. The average depth of Gammarus population in the pelagic zone was significantly correlated with the depth of the thermo-cline. Gammarus abundances obtained using vertical plankton hauls with net were quite comparable with those obtained from video records. The peak abundance of Gammarus in the pelagic zone of the lakes observed with underwater video amounted up to 400 individuals m(-2), while the peak animal densities in the metalimnion reached 50 ind. m(-3). The data are compared with previously published abundances of Gammarus in the littoral of Lake Shira. Both littoral and pelagic can be equally important habitats for amphipods in meromictic lakes. The absence of fish in the pelagic zone, high oxygen concentration, low water temperature, increased seston concentration, elevated water density in the metalimnion and the anoxic hypolimnion can be the most probable combination of factors that are responsible for the peak of Gammarus in the metalimnion of these lakes.