Seasonal changes of malacostraca (Crustacea) fauna of the upper Coruh River basin (Bayburt Province, Turkey) and its ecological characteristics

Abstract

A three samplings were carried out between September 2014 and August 2015, at twelve stations to determine the seasonal changes of species, relations with water quality parameters, and the Malacostraca fauna of the Upper Coruh River Basin. A hand net was used to collect the biological samples. Dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids were measured using a portable water meter. Nitrite, ammonium, phosphate, and biochemical oxygen levels were also measured. Seven taxa were identified (five of them belong to Amphipoda, one to Isopoda, and one to Decapoda). Gammarus birsteini was the continuous, while G. kischineffensis and Asellus aquaticus are common. G. fossarum, G. balcanicus, Gammarus sp. and Potamon ibericum were rarely found. AF (Aydıncık Foundation) and DF (Değirmencik Foundation) stations had first class water quality while other stations had second and third quality according to the Quality Criteria According to Classes of Inland Water Resources.