ICHTHYOFAUNA OF SANTOCZNA AND PEŁCZ RIVERS IN THE CATCHMENT AREA OF LOWER NOTEĆ

Summary. Studies of ichthyofauna were carried out in two tributaries of lower Noteć, in the rivers Santoczna and Pełcz. The catchment areas of these rivers lie in the Myślibórz Lakeland being part of Pomerania Lakeland. Fish samples were obtained by the method of electrofishing in determined sites. Totally, in both water courses, 90 fish individuals representing 7 species were caught and identified. Hydrographic similarity and location in the direct neighbourhood of Santoczna and Pełcz rivers found a reflection in the composition and biomass of ichthyofauna. In both water courses, there occurred five representatives of ichthyofauna including three species occurring in both rivers: brown trout, bullhead and perch. Furthermore, in Santoczna river, the presence of pike and roach was found, while in Pełcz river, gudgeon and rudd were present. In Pełcz, the quantitat-ive dominants included brown trout and perch, while in Santoczna, the dominating fish was perch. Brown trout showed the greatest participation in the biomass of the fish caught in both rivers. Then, a significant share in the ichthyofauna of Santoczna river was shown by pike and perch, while in Pełcz river there dominated rudd and perch. Regarding the affiliation to ecological groups, the ichthyofauna of the studied rivers was differentiated – there occurred both phytophils and lithophils species. Key words: ichthyofauna, Noteć catchment area, lowland rivers, biodiversit