COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF BRANCHIOPODS (ANOSTRACA, NOTOSTRACA AND CONCHOSTRACA) IN THE BANAT PROVINCE IN YUGOSLAVIA

A survey of large branchiopods in the Banat province in Yugoslavia rev ealed a particularly diverse fauna in the vicinity of the village Mele nci, 100 km north of Belgrade. The temporary ponds here include 10 spe cies of branchiopods, 5 anostracans, 2 notostracans and 3 conchostraca ns (all belonging to the Spinicaudata group). This diversity represent s 53% of the species known in Yugoslavia. Community structure, spatial distribution and seasonal dynamics of the species were analyzed over the period 1991-1995. More than one species was found in about 67% of ponds. The maximum number of coexisting species was 7. Anostracans wer e the most common as a group, while the notostracan Triops cancriformi s and the conchostracan Leptestheria saetosa were the most frequent sp ecies. A high frequency of coexistence was established. Regarding comm unity structure, two significantly different periods during the season were distinguished: the first, from the end of February to mid-April, and the second, from mid-April to the end of July. This extensive poo l longevity may underlie the high diversity in this region.