Epischura baikalensis

Taxobox | name = "Epischura baikalensis"
status = VU | status_system = IUCN2.3
status_ref = [cite web |url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/7897/all |title="Epischura baikalensis" |author=J. W. Reid |year=1996 |work=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |accessdate=2007-08-09]
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Crustacea
ordo = Calanoida
familia = Temoridae
genus = "Epischura"
species = "E. baikalensis"
binomial = "Epischura baikalensis"
binomial_authority = G. O. Sars, 1900

"Epischura baikalensis" is a species of crustacean in family Temoridae. It is endemic to Lake Baikal, being dominating zooplankton species there: 80 to 90 percent of total biomass. [ [http://www.obaykale.ru/baykal-fauna_06.htm Зоопланктон в экосистеме озера Байкал / О Байкале.ру - Байкал. Научно и популярно ] ]

"Epischura baicalensis Sars" is a dominant pelagic species of Lake Baikal zooplankton. This is endemic to Lake Baikal and inhabits the entire water column. It produces two generations per year: the winter–spring and the summer. These copepods develop under different ecological conditions and vary in the duration of life stages, reproduction time, maturation of sex products and adult males and females lifespan. The total life period of the animals from each generation is one year. One female can produce 10 egg sacks every 10–20 days during its life time. The ratio of males and females is 1:1. One of the most essential features of the ecology of E. baicalensis is the alteration of its mass inhabited areas during a year, as well as in day time. This is due to the need for various conditions for gonad maturation, reproduction, nourishing and protection from being consumed by planktivors.

It is the Epischura Baicalensis which keeps Lake Baikal clean [http://e360.yale.edu/content/feature.msp?id=2005]

References