Estimation of Seasonal Dynamics of Number and Age Structure of South Baikal Natural Population of Epischura baicalensis Sars Using ANOVA

The seasonal dynamics of number and age structure of natural population of Epischura haicalensis Sars, 1900 (Copepoda, Calanoida) from South Baikal was studied using the materials of ten-day sampling of zooplankton samples in the water layer of 0-250 m in 2001-2004. Using ANOVA we determined the statistical significance of seasonal changes in number and ratio of nauplius larvae, copepodid larvae, and adults. The method of sampling reduction was used to identify the three phases of population cycle: growth, peak, and depression of number, corresponding to three biological seasons. The importance of the obtained data is discussed considering the regulating mechanisms for numbers of population of E. baicalensis.