Aquatic invertebrate fauna of the Two Peoples Bay area, south-western Australia

Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre

MDFRC item.

The aquatic invertebrate fauna of four rivers and streams and three lakes in the Two Peoples Bay area, southwestern Australia, was sampled in June 1990 and February 1991. A total of 247 taxa were recorded; 110 in flowing waters, 170 in standing waters and 33 common to both habitats. Increased sampling intensity in February 1991 revealed a diverse microinvertebrate fauna of 47 taxa of Protozoa and Rotifera.The macroinvertebrate fauna was similar to that reported previously from aquatic ecosystems in southwestern Australia. Thirty-six species of microinvertebrates (2 Protozoa, 21 Rotifera, 10 Cladocera and 3 Copepoda) were new records for southwestern Australia, and in many cases, Australia. The number of new records reflects greater sampling and taxonomic effort than has been used previously in southwestern Australia, but also suggest southwestern Australia may have a distinctive microfauna.