ABSTRACT
Phylum Rotifera is a group of microscopic (50-500 μm in length), free-living organisms made up of over 2000 described species. Although this group contains a diverse array of species, including some that are capable of withstanding extreme conditions, 95% are found in freshwater ecosystems and 5% are found in marine ecosystems. Rotifers often make up an important component of the plankton in both freshwater and marine ecosystems. Normally, 40-500 organisms are found per liter of freshwater lakes or ponds. Rotifers are an important source of food for …sh; therefore, they play a signi…cant role in determining the structure of the aquatic community and in mediating the ±ow of energy throughout the freshwater ecosystem (Pechenik 1996).
