Seventy-one species of zooplankton were identified from 16 stations within
five zones in Lake Texoma (Oklahoma-Texas) over a 14-month period beginning
August 1996. Whole lake mean monthly densities were greatest in mid-May (1
99.4 org/L) and least in mid-June (83.9 org/L). Mean zooplankton density wa
s a third greater in the Red River arm compared to the Washita River arm an
d Main Lake zone. Percent composition was similar among the five zones with
rotifers making up the largest proportion followed by the nauplii, cladoce
ra, cyclopoid copepods and calanoid copepods. Bray-Curtis Similarity Index
at the genus level showed zooplankton community composition was most simila
r between the Red River zone and Red River Transition zone, Washita River z
one and Washita River Transition zone and Main Lake zone with the Main Lake
zone being most similar to the Red River arm. Lake Texoma can be classifie
d as eutrophic based upon the presence of rotifer and cladoceran indicator
species and the ratio of calanoid to cyclopoid copepods plus cladoceran spe
cies.