author(s)
Selçuk Altınsaçlı, Songül Altınsaçlı, Ferda Perçin-Paçal

abstract
The karstic freshwater springs of Pınarbaşı, Dipsiz, and Deştin are located in the Yatağan District of Muğla in the southwest of Turkey. Habitat features and ostracod populations were monitored during January to December, 2008 at monthly intervals in three karstic springs (one limnocrene, two rheocrene). We analyzed the diversity and distribution of ostracod assemblages associated with the three springs and the ecological factors reported to affect ostracod occurrence. For this purpose, the main physicochemical parameters of the habitat, including salinity, electrical conductivity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and oxygen saturation were recorded. Similar to previous findings, measurement results of physicochemical parameters indicate that springs are stable and resource-rich systems due to their physicochemical characteristics remaining stable. Eight species were recorded (Candona neglecta, Heterocypris incongruens, Heterocypris salina, Herpetocypris chevreuxi, Psychrodromus olivaceus, Prionocypris zenkeri, Ilyocypris gibba, Pseudocandona marchica) in two types of springs: limnocrene and rheocrene, while Candona neglecta, Herpetocypris chevreuxi, and Psychrodromus olivaceus were found in the all three springs. Candona neglecta was common in both types of springs.