Quantifying local wind-mediated dispersal of zooplankton in a Mediterranean pond

Abstract Dispersal shapes species distributions, population dynamics, and community structure. While zooplankton is assumed to exhibit high dispersal capacity, quantitative data remain scarce, particularly for rotifers. Wind is recognized as an important vector for these organisms at local scales, yet its role in short-distance propagule transport remains poorly quantified. Here, we conducted a 15-month field study in a temporary pond to quantify wind-mediated dispersal of zooplankton propagules. We investigated how wind regime and pond characteristics influence dispersal patterns in rotifers and compared them with those of copepods given their marked differences in propagule size. We also analyzed the relationship between propagule size and dispersal distance. Our findings showed temporal variability and distinct dispersal patterns between the two groups. Wind conditions and pond characteristics were closely associated with patterns of propagule aerial transport. Rotifer dispersal decreased with distance, whereas copepods exhibited the opposite trend, highlighting the complex influence of propagule size on dispersal efficiency. Overall, wind dispersal was highly variable and dependent on changing environmental conditions and propagule availability. This study provides one of the few long-term, field-based quantifications of wind-mediated propagule transport in zooplankton and highlights its relevance at local scales, even during the wet phase of temporary ponds.