Epiphytic meiofauna in stands of different submerged macrophytes

Epiphytic meiofauna in association with pure stands of four macrophytes (Nymphoides peltata, Ceratophyllum demersum, Polygonum amphibium and Carex spp.) were studied in the slow-flowing Conakut Channel, within the Kopacki rit floodplain, Croatia, during two vegetation seasons (2001 and 2002). The meiofauna densities for different macrophyte types showed a significant variation between N. peltata and C. demersum stands with a total of 15 meiofauna taxa on the macrophytes. Insect larvae, mostly Chironomidae, and Oligochaeta juveniles were the most abundant taxa recorded during the entire investigated period in all stands of macrophytes, except in R amphibium.