Amina Alnesser1*
1 Latakia University, Latakia, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Amina Alnesser, Email: amina.alnesser@latakia-univ.edu.sy).
Received: 11/ 03/2026 Accepted: 2/08 /2026
Abstract:
Freshwater crustaceans of the order Cladocera have significant ecological importance as an intermediate link in aquatic food webs. This study aimed to assess aquatic biodiversity and update its checklist in Syria by monitoring the Al-Kabir Al-Shimali Dam Lake in Latakia from February 2025 to January 2026. The research recorded the species Daphnia obtusa (Family: Daphniidae) for the first time in Syrian freshwaters, occurring in the bottom water layer. Abundance analysis showed that D. obtusa appeared from late winter until mid-summer, reaching its peak density in spring (May) with a maximum abundance of 21.19 individuals/m3.
Keywords: Cladocera, Daphniidae, Daphnia obtusa, freshwater, Latakia, Syria.
Full paper in Arabic: PDF