Species Composition and Structure of Macrozoobenthos in Lake Ulaagchny Khar (Mongolia)

摘要

The assessment of modern state of zoobenthos in Ulaagchny Khar Lake (Western Mongolia) is presented. A list of macroinvertebrate species recorded in the lake in 2011-2013 is given. This list includes 44 species of six classes. Insects account for the largest number of species (33), among which chironomid larvae and pupae prevail (28 species). It has been found that chironomid larvae play a leading role in the structure of bottom communities of Ulaagchny Khar Lake, both in terms of species richness (63.6% of total number of species) and quantitative development. In 2011-2013, the average biomass of macrozoobenthos in the lake increased severalfold when compared to 1997 and 1998. According to the Pantle-Buck saprobity index, the lake is a P-mesosaprobic waterbody.