Adults and juveniles of the predaceous cladoceran Cercopagis pengoi, native
to the Ponto-Caspian region, were found in nearshore waters of southern La
ke Michigan during August and September 1999. This invasive cladoceran was
previously reported from Lake Ontario, but this is the first report of C. p
engoi from Lake Michigan. In Lake Michigan, densities of C. pengoi peaked a
t about 75/m(3) on 22 September when water temperature was 16 degreesC, and
first and second instars comprised up to 90% of the samples. Of the third
and fourth instar reproductive forms. parthenogenetic females were most abu
ndant (up to 33% of all individuals sampled) and were present on all sampli
ng dates. Males and females with resting eggs appeared in low abundance on
the last two sampling dares perhaps in response to decreasing temperatures.
The impact of this invader on the Lake Michigan food web is yet undetermin
ed, but C. pengoi individuals were found in the stomachs of alewife on 22 S
eptember indicating that fishes will feed on C. pengoi.