ROTIFER ASSEMBLAGES IN THE NEVA-BAY, RUSSIA - PRINCIPLES OF FORMATION, PRESENT STATE AND PERSPECTIVES

A comparative study of species composition, abundance and spatial dist ribution of the rotifers of Neva Bay (Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea), be tween 1982-1993, was carried out. The rotifer fauna in the central bas in of Neva Bay is determined by and originates in Lake Ladoga and is v ery similar to that of the Neva River. High turbidity and effect of wi nds affecting water residence time influence composition and density o f rotifers in this shallow estuary. The importance of rotifer assembla ges for evaluation of the quality of the estuary is discussed.