Differential transport and preservation of the instars of Limnocythere inopinata (Crustacea, Ostracoda) in three large brackish lakes in northern China

Population age structure, preservation, and carapace abundance of the valve remains of Limnocythere inopinata in 88 surface-sediment samples from Lakes Daihai, Dali, and Hulun were examined to better understand taphonomy of limnic ostracods. The spatial changes in population structure of L. inopinata match the within-lake hydraulic gradients, with the older instars preferentially deposited in the littoral zone while the younger instars being more abundant in deeper waters. We propose that molt and mortem remains of ostracods, especially those of the small juveniles, experience downslope transport. The magnitude of transport in a lake is controlled by wind-driven hydrodynamics. There is no chemical dissolution of ostracod valves in these alkaline lakes, and degradation is mainly represented by physical breakage. The preservation of L. inopinata is related to sedimentation rate and hydraulic stability, and the spatial pattern of preservation varies between lakes. Spatial and seasonal changes in sedimentation rate and hydraulic condition, and the ostracod life cycle may have contributed to this complexity. Adult and A-7 carapaces are the most frequent among the instars. We suggest that the preferential preservation of juvenile carapaces is either related to high mortality rate or to the good preservation in deep waters.