Relict mysid

Systematic position. Mysis relicta belongs to the order Mysida and the family Mysidae. It is a glacial relict species, typically found in deep, cold, oligotrophic lakes across the Northern Hemisphere. It serves as a significant link in the aquatic food web.

Biology and life cycle. This crustacean is well-adapted to low temperatures and high dissolved oxygen levels. It exhibits distinct diel vertical migrations, where populations descend to the benthos during daylight hours to avoid predation and ascend into the water column at night to feed on phytoplankton and smaller zooplankton.

Ecological and agricultural relevance. It is essential to clarify that Mysis relicta is not a crop pest. In the context of agro-aquaculture and fisheries management, it is considered a beneficial species. It provides a vital food source for economically important salmonid and coregonid fish populations in freshwater systems.

Impact on aquatic habitats. While Mysis relicta is beneficial for fish growth, its introduction into new reservoirs must be carefully evaluated. Excessive density may lead to competition for food with other fish species or alter the zooplankton community structure, which could indirectly affect the overall biodiversity of the water body.

Management practices. As this species is not a terrestrial pest, there are no control methods involving pesticides or protective measures typical of crop protection. Management is focused on environmental monitoring and ecological assessment to ensure that its population density remains within the carrying capacity of the lake or reservoir to support sustainable fishing yields.