Abundance and spatial distribution of Artemia salina in Lake Abert, Oregon

Abstract

In 1981–82 Abert Lake had an area of 200 km², with a mean depth of 2.5 m and a total dissolved salt concentration of 82 g l^-1. The spatial distribution and abundance of the brine shrimp, Artemia salina, were monitored for 1981–82. In 1981 during the midsummer months, with sampling primarily in the eastern side of Abert Lake, brine shrimp populations showed peak densities of 2–4 ind. l^-1. In 1982, peak abundance occurred in early July and ranged between 5–8 ind. 1^-1. Lakewide estimates of brine shrimp derived from 14 collecting stations and assuming a uniform distribution over the lake resulted in estimates of lakewide abundance of 3 × 10¹¹ adults with a total biomass of 7 × 10⁶ kg. The major algal species in the lake was a benthic filamentous green alga (Ctenocladus circinnatus).