Zooplankton Key Project Key Dates:
Feb 9
Discussion: Zooplankton Key Project Assignments (Ecology Page & Videos)
Selection of Project Species (list top 3 in each category)
Assignments: Ecology Page (due March 9) & Videos (due April 25)
Feb 23
Bring in first draft of Ecology Page of 1 species for evaluation
Mar 9
Assigned first draft of Ecology Pages (5) due (will be instructor/peer reviewed
and returned 23 March)
Mar 23
Peer reviewed Ecology Pages returned; revised Ecology Pages will be
presented May 4
May 4
Seminar: PowerPoint presentation of revised Ecology Pages and “bonus” videos
Course evaluations
Ecology pages (15 pts, 5 @ 3 pts ea) & Video clip (5 pts); “bonus” video clips (1 pt ea, 5 pt max)
Choose your top three species in each of the following categories:
Daphnia, Calanoids, Cyclopoids, Rotifers, All Others in the key
You will be assigned one from each category picked from your three choices.
Each page on your species will contain the following categories:
Distinguishing Characteristics
Similar species: List species that might be confused with this organism and why
Geographic Distribution: What is the currently known range of this animal?
Reported Habitats: What lake types and zones of lakes has it been reported in?
Reproductive habits: Parthenogenic? Obligate sexual reproduction? How many broods per
year? How many eggs per brood?
Food & feeding behavior: predator, grazer, or other classification
Predation: What eats this organism? What does it eat?
Competition: What does this animal compete with for food or other resources? Does this
animal out compete others for some resource?
Migration: Has this animal been reported to exhibit horizontal or vertical migration in the lake?
Seasonal Variations: Do populations of this animal exhibit seasonal variation in their presence
in lakes?
Bibliography for above information: Give sources for information in the CFB Reports
Bibliography format.