Contributions to Ostracoda (Crustacea) fauna of Lake Manyas (Kuş)

Natural freshwater resources (e.g., lakes, ponds, rivers, springs) are among the most affected habitats in the world, influenced by pollutants due to increasing industrial and agricultural activities of the human. Understanding the influence of such factors on these ecosystems requires continuous research and monitoring programs on it. Thus, periodic sampling plays a vital role in assessing the biodiversity of these resources and in monitoring the degree of environmental degradation. Lake Manyas, with its rich biodiversity, is one of the most significant aquatic ecosystems and represents a valuable site for faunistic research in this context. Species of the class Ostracoda (Crustacea), which can be found in various aquatic habitats, are recognized with high species diversity and broad environmental tolerance. The species of the class found in lakes are considered reliable bioindicators due to the presence of many species with clearly defined environmental tolerance profiles. To determine the Ostracoda fauna of the Lake Manyas, samples were collected monthly between December 2020 and November 2021. As a result, a total of 38 taxa belonging to 24 genera were identified. Of which, 12 genera and 16 species were reported as new records for the lake.