Freshwater ostracods from an alpine wetland in south-central Anatolia, Turkey

Alpine lakes and wetlands in Turkey remain largely untapped sources of information in terms of both neo- and paleolimnological studies. Such ecosystems experience harsh climate conditions during almost half the year. They are characterized mainly by oligotrophic, freshwater conditions in the absence of direct anthropogenic impacts. This study tracked the distribution of ostracods at a very shallow wetland that is hydrologically connected to the Lake Karagol (altitude: 2600 m asl) through its outlet, in the Bolkar Mountains, south central Anatolia, Turkey. Four podocopid ostracod species were recorded: Potamocypris fallax Fox, 1967, Stenocypria fischeri (Lilljeborg, 1883), Heterocypris incongruens (Ramdohr, 1808), and Neglecandona sp. Krstic, 2006 throughout a short core from the alpine wetland. Ostracods were especially abundant in the uppermost 4.5 cm of the short core, with Neglecandona sp. most abundant in the uppermost 1 cm. This study shows that populations of H. incongruens and Neglecandona sp. develop at around 15-17 degrees C mean temperature for the warmest month (August) in the alpine wetland, which is totally frozen during the winter. Potamocypris fallax and Stenocypria fischeri also tolerate these same conditions. Trace metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Ni) were measured, and displayed low concentrations, with only slight fluctuations in Pb and Cu concentrations. Atmospheric contamination does not yet appear to be an environmental threat at this remote site.