The importance of the littoral epiphyton as food for commercial fish in the recent African man-made lake, Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, Tanzania

Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir is a man-made lake in the Kilimanjaro region of northern Tanzania. The commercial fisheries are principally based on the cichlids, Sarotherodon pangani Lowe, S. jipe Lowe, S. esculentus Graham, and Tilapia rendalli Boulenger.
Examination of gut contents revealed that the dominant species, S. pangani and S. jipe , fed on the epiphyton attached to the vegetation in the littoral zone, S. esculentus was a phytoplankton filter feeder, and T. rendalli consumed macrophytes and associated epiphytes.
A fish exclosure quantitatively demonstrated that the epiphyton community was appreciably depleted by the grazing of fish. After 35 days the mean epiphyton density on the submerged surfaces of Cyperus articulatus L. within the exclosure was 285 times 10³ individuals cm^-2 shoot, but only 181 times 10³ individuals cm^-2 shoot on grazed surfaces outside the exclosure. The differences were statistically significant, and corresponded to a difference in biomass of about 6.5 g organic dry weight m^-2 lake surface. Vertical profiles of periphyton density on Cyperus indicated that fish grazed mainly below a depth of 100 mm from the water surface.
The littoral epiphyton → commercial fish food chain, which may be unique, is considered to predominate in Nyumba ya Mungu, and is compared with the major food chains of commercial fish in some other African natural and man-made lakes.     

A community of epiphytic diatoms living on low irradiances

22 samples of the benthic plant Nitella flexilis collected fortnightly in Grane Langsø from July 1959 to June 1960 were examined for epiphytic diatoms. The relative abundance of every taxon was determined by counting 400 valves from each of the Nitella samples. The species composition of the diatom assemblages seemed unchanged throughout the year. A clear seasonal periodicity in relative abundance could not be proved for any of the diatoms in spite of a variation in the irradiance from about 8–10 cal.cm^-2 day^-1 in June-July to 0.1–0.2 cal.cm^-2 day^-1 in February. The diatoms were living on a yearly PAR-irradiance of only 1000 cal.cm^-2 year^-1, which is 2.2% of that at the lake surface. The seasonal fluctuations in C0₂ and pH in 11.25 m subsurface depth are shown by diagrams. Diatom inferred pH is compared with measured pH.     

Temporal dynamics in epipelic, pelagic and epiphytic algal production in a clear and a turbid shallow lake

SUMMARY 1. Pelagic and epipelic microalgal production were measured over a year in a pre-defined area (depth 0.5 m) in each of two lakes, one turbid and one with clear water. Further estimates of epiphytic production within reed stands were obtained by measuring production of periphyton developed on artificial substrata.
2. Total annual production of phytoplankton and epipelon was 34% greater in the turbid lake (190 g C m⁻² year⁻¹) than in the clearwater lake (141 g C m⁻² year⁻¹). However, the ratio of total production to mean water column TP concentration was two fold greater in the clearwater lake.
3. Phytoplankton accounted for the majority of the annual production (96%) in the turbid lake, while epipelic microalgal production dominated (77%) in the clear lake. The relative contribution of epipelic algae varied over the year, however, and in the turbid lake was higher in winter (11–25%), when the water was relatively clear, than during summer (0.7–1.7%), when the water was more turbid. In the clearwater lake, the relative contribution of epipelon was high both in winter, when the water was most clear, and in mid-summer, when phytoplankton production was constrained either by nutrients or grazing.
4. Compared with pelagic and epipelic primary production, epiphytic production within a reed stand was low and did not vary significantly between the lakes.
5. The study supports the theory of a competitive and compensatory trade-off between primary producers in lakes with contrasting nutrient concentrations, resulting in relatively small differences in overall production between clear and turbid lakes when integrating over the season and over different habitats.     

Limnochemical and phytoplankton studies on Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, Tanzania

This publication reports on the chemical and phytoplankton aspects of a three month biological survey of Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, Tanzania.
The lake had a total salt concentration of about 8 meq dm^-3 and specific conductivity of 900 μS cm^-1. The main salt in solution was sodium bicarbonate, and when the lake level fell it sometimes formed a crust on the exposed shore. The concentrations of major nutrient ions were probably not limiting to algal growth and good nutrient replenishment was provided by the two inflow rivers.
Nyumba ya Mungu supports a rich phytoplanton dominated by Melosira and blue-green algae. Acetone extractions gave chlorophyll 'a' concentrations ranging from 20–40 mgm^-3 in the vertical profiles, and light and dark bottle experiments indicated a maximum gross photosynthesis of about 800 mg O₂ m^-3h^-1. There was evidence of chemical stratification in the open water and diurnal stratification in the sheltered bays, but discontinuities were short-lived and the Trade Winds ensured regular mixing of the water. The lake appeared to have a higher primary production than the larger Rift Valley lakes and it was considered that this level of production would continue.     

Temporal and spatial distribution of planktic cyanobacteria in Lake Kastoria, Greece, a shallow, urban lake

The temporal and spatial distribution of planktic cyanobacteria and some environmental parameters were studied in the shallow, urban Lake Kastoria, Greece from June 1996 to June 1997. Water temperature varied from 6–27 °C, pH from 7.5–8.9 and dissolved O₂ concentration from 0.7–12 mg m^-3 10^-3. The mean annual Chl a concentration was 83 mg Chl a m^-3 indicative of the eutrophic-hypertrophic state of the lake. Cyanobacterial biomass ranged from 11–238 g FW m^-3, constituting about 90% of the total phytoplankton biomass throughout the year. Cyanobacterial biomass was non-uniformly distributed both vertically and horizontally from August to November 1996 and resulted mainly from the distribution of Microcystis. Seven cyanobacterial taxa were reported for the first time in Lake Kastoria. Six taxa were dominant: Microcystis aeruginosa, M. flos-aquae, M. novacekii. Limnothrix redekei, Anabaena sp. and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. The dominant cyanobacterial taxa can be grouped on the basis of their distribution patterns (1) Microcystis species: maximum biomass occurring at pH > 8, temperature 12–17 °C, depth < 0.2 m; (2) Anabaena sp. and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii : maximum biomass at temperatures 23–26 °C; (3) Limnothrix redekei : maximum biomass at temperatures 6–27 °C. Usually, non-uniform, vertical distributions of cyanobacterial biomass were associated with the formation of temperature, pH and O₂ gradients. L. redekei was considered to be a key lake organism since it contributed up to 59% of the cyanobacterial biomass. Interestingly, three of the dominant cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa, Anabaena sp. and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii belong to genera that include toxin-producing species.     

Energetics of a population of Asellus aquaticus (Crustacea, Isopoda): respiration and energy budgets

SUMMARY. Respiration of Asellus aquaticus was determined on tiine occasions throughout the year using a Gilson differential respirometer. On each occasion the determination was made at the lake temperature, which ranged from 2 to 18°C, Linear regressions were derived for log oxygen uptake against log dry weight. There was a significant difference between mean rates of oxygen uptake at the various temperatures but the slopes of the regression lines, which varied from 0,62 to O.85 with a mean of 0,76, were not significantly different.
The temperature of the lake was monitored throughout the year. Using the relationship of oxygen uptake against temperature, and estimates of population density obtained previously, the total annual respiration of the population was calculated as 4571 ml O₂ m^-2, equivalent to an energy loss of 92.3 kj m^-2 year^-1 from a mean biomassof 752 mg m^-2.
Consumption of decayed Alnus glutinosa leaves and faecal production rates, and thus assimilation efficiency, were determined by gravimetric methods in the laboratory at 10°C, close to the mean temperature of the lake (10.rC), In the four size classes investigated, larger animals consumed more food per individual, but less on a weight specific basis. However, it was shown that consumption was greater if the leaf material was more highly decomposed, Assimiliation efficiency was calculated as 23%.
Using data for respiration, population density and the assimilation efficiency, the annual population energy budget was estimated as (kJ m^-2year^-1): consumption, 568.9 (100%); production, 38.5 (6.8%); respiration, 92.3 (16.2%); faeces, 438.1 (77%). The significance of these energy values, and the ecological efficiencies calculated from them, are discussed in relation to other published work.     

A modified drop-net method for sampling mobile epifauna on marine shallow sandy bottoms

The seasonal variations in numbers and biomass of the mobile epifauna of a shallow, sandy bay in Gullmar Fjord (Sweden) was investigated during 1976–1977 using the drop-net technique. Juvenile plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L., sand goby, Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas), and brown shrimp Crangon crangon L. are the dominant epifaunal species. A net enclosing an area of 100 m² was used, and the organisms captured were collected with a small trawl. Three stations with a water depth≤ 1 m were regularly sampled with a total number of 73 drops. Maximum abundance was for plaice in June (6 ind m^-2), for the shrimp in July-August (61 ind m^-2), and for sand goby in September (2 ind m^-2). Standing stocks (dry wt) were 0.2, 1.5 and 0.2 g m^-2 respectively. Production estimates were based on seasonal changes in size frequency and information on specific growth rates. The production rate was for plaice (0-group) 0.3 g m^-2 yr^-1, for the shrimp 1.5, and for sand goby 0.2 g m^-2 yr^-1. Reliable estimates of the absolute abundance can be derived from the mean catch per unit area only when the efficiency of the fishing gear is known. After 6 hauls with the trawl in the drop-net enclosure more than 85% of the shrimps were caught and after the fifteenth haul less than 1% were still left. The fishing efficiency of a push-net in relation to the drop-net was for the shrimp 50%, for plaice 35% and for sand goby 17%.     

Growth and production of five species of Ephemeroptera larvae from an experimental recirculating stream

SUMMARY. The production and growth of the larvae of five species of Ephemeroptera in an experimental recirculating stream-channel are described. The most abundant species were Baetis rhodani , which achieved a maximum population density of c. 29,000 m^-2 in August, and Ephemerella ignita which reached a density of c. 13,000 m^-2 in the spring. Three other common speeies, Paraleptophlebia submarginata, Centroptilum luteolum and Caenis rivulorum were present at lower densities (< 1000 m^-2). B. rhodani had five cohorts in a year whilst C. luteolum had two or possibly three. E. ignita, C. rivulorum and P. submarginata were univoltine. Mean speeifie growth rates were calculated for each species, the maximum being 3.26±0.49% length day^-1 for E. ignita (3 April—15 May). Production of each of these five species of Ephemeroptera was calculated giving a total annual production of 10.2 g dry wt m^-2 (computational method).     

Effects of light and temperature on the cell size and some biochemical components in two freshwater cryptophytes

The effects of light and temperature on cell size and cellular composition (chlorophyll, protein, carbohydrate) of two freshwater cryptophytes were studied with batch cultures. Neither of the species had a constant cell size but the size varied with growth conditions. At each temperature the smallest cells were recorded at the lowest experimental photon flux density. The smallest cells of Cryptomonas 979/67 had an average volume of 232 μm³ and the largest ones 1 020 μm³. In Cryptomonas 979/62 the smallest and largest cells measured 4 306 μm³ and 12 450 μm³. Both species increased their cellular chlorophyll content when PFB dropped below 110–120 μmol m^-2 s^-1. The highest and lowest chlorophyll contents of 979/67 were 7.45 fg μm^-3 and 0.55 fg μm^-2 respectively. For 979/62 the corresponding values were 10.23 fg μm^-3 and 0.93 fg μm^-3. In both species the protein content remained stable at PFDs higher than 110–120 μmol m^-2 S^-1. The highest content of protein measured in 979/67 was 638 fg μm^-3 and the lowest 147 fg μm^-3. For 979/62 these values were 1 036 fg μm^-3 and 148 fg μm^-3 respectively. The carbohydrate results were less clear and no pattern either in response to photon flux density or temperature was obvious. The lowest and highest contents recorded for 979/67 were 62 fg μm^-3 and 409 fg μ^-3 and for 979162, 36 fg μm^-3 and 329 fg μm^-3     

Production of epipelic algae before and during lake fertilization in a subarctic lake

Epipelic production was studied over three years in Lake Gunillajaure, a small, subarctic lake in northern Sweden. In 1977 the lake was in its natural state and in 1978 and 1979 it was continuously fertilized with phosphorus and nitrogen. The fertilizations in 1978 and 1979 did not increase the annual epipelic production measured with ¹⁴C technique. Also the seasonal production pattern was the same during the three years. The variation in production with depth was similar all three years with mean values of 85 mg C m^-2 d^-1 at 2 m and 1 mg C m^-2 d^-1 at 11 m. Light penetration and water temperature were found to be the most important environmental factors affecting epipelic production. A long turnover time, between I months and 14 yr at different depths, of the probably well adapted epipelic community is suggested to be an explanation to the absence of a response to the fertilization.     

Peat respiration and decomposition in Antarctic terrestrial moss communities

Oxygen uptake by the peat of two Antarctic bryophyte communities (a moss turf and a moss carpet) is converted to organic matter loss and used to derive the rate of decomposition. The decay rates obtained in this way are evaluated in two mathematical models which simulate the accumulation of dead organic matter (DOM) in the communities from the litter production and decomposition rate. Litter production, the extent of DOM accumulations at present on the sites and mean decomposition rates (i.e. fraction of standing crop lost per year) were 409 g m^-2 year^-1, 33.5 kg m^-2 and 0.017 g g^-1 year^-1 in the moss turf and 392 g m^-2 year^-1, 29.6 kg m-² and 0.010 g g^-1 year^-1 in the moss carpet respectively (all weights expressed as dry weight). Aerobic decomposition rate declined with depth in both communities. From the model's predictions it is suggested that the observed decay rate was too high in the moss turf and too low in the carpet. Possible reasons for this are discussed and suggestions made for future work.     

Litter decomposition by slugs in mixed deciduous woodland

For the one year period considered, it is calculated that 683.5 g m^-2 plant litter entered the study area site. Of the six slugs studied, Arion intermedius Normand, the smallest species, had the highest overall consumption rate on the nine test foods (29.1 ± 0.9 mg dry wt g live wt^-1 d^-1) and the highest overall mean assimilation efficiency (72.0 + 0.9%). The mean faecal production for each of the six slug species was very similar, ranging from 8.4 to 9.9 mg dry wt g live wt^-1 d^-1. Using regression equations of food consumed on faeces produced, it is estimated that the slug fauna each year consumes 8.4% of the leaf litter input and 6.5% of the total available plant litter. Of the plant material consumed, 13.8 g dry wt m^-2 are deposited annually as faeces. The role of slugs in decomposition processes is discussed and compared with that of other soil organisms.     

LIGHT-DEPENDENT GROWTH, DARK SURVIVAL, AND GLUCOSE UPTAKE BY CRYPTOPHYTES ISOLATED FROM A FRESHWATER CHEMOCLINE

Clones of Cryptomonas phaseolus Skuja , Cryptomonas rostratiformis ( Skuja ) Skuja in Huber-Pestalozi, and Cryptomonas undulata Gervais were isolated from the deep chlorophyll maximum near the oxic/anoxic boundary layer of the mesoeutrophic lake Schlachtensee, Germany. Different autecological features of these species were studied in batch culture experiments . Cryptomonas cf . ovata Ehrenberg and Chroomonas sp. that never dominated in the deep chlorophyll layer were also isolated from Schlachtensee to study their light-dependent growth in comparison to the deep-living species . Cryptomonas undulata, C. cf . ovata, and C. phaseolus had a very low light compensation point ( 5–7 μmol.m^-2.s^-1 ), whereas the growth rate of Chroomonas sp. and C. rostratiformis was positive above 16 and 24 μmol.m^-2.s^-1 . Cryptomonas phaseclus and Chroomonas sp. became photoinhibited above photon flux densities of 92 and 116 μmol.m^-2.s^-1 . Cryptomonas rostratiformis, C. cf . ovata, and C. undulata reached a maximum growth rate at a considerably higher photon flux density (198–250 μmol.m^-2.s^-1 ). Cryptomonas phaseolus grew fastest under light-limiting conditions . Chyptomonas phaseolus and C. undulata were best able to suruive prolonged periods of darkness . Cryptomonas phaseolus, C. rostratiformis, and C. undulata did not show any uptake of fluorescent latex beads. When labeled glucose was provided in naturally occurring concentrations, carbon uptake by C. phaseolus, C. rostratiformis, and C. undulata was negligibly small in comparison to cellular carbon content. I suggest that the adaptation to a low-light environment is an important preadaptation for the dominance of C. phaseolus and C. undulata near the freshwater chemocline .     

Facilitation of periphyton production by tadpole grazing: functional differences between species

1. This study examined how interactions between resources that vary in edibility, and herbivores that vary in ability to acquire resources, control primary productivity. In a northern California river, grazing on Cladophora glomerata , a relatively inedible filamentous green alga, and its more nutritious epiphytic diatoms, was manipulated by exposing cobbles to tadpoles ( Rana boylii or Hyla regilla ) or excluding tadpoles.
2. Rana indirectly facilitated Cladophora by removing diatoms, whereas Hyla did not significantly change biomass relative to controls. Algal ash-free dry mass on cobbles in Rana treatments was 65 and 72% greater than on controls in two years of investigation (1991 and 1993). Rana decreased epiphytic diatom biovolume by 56% and detritus by 87%.
3. Because nitrogen excretion rates of Hyla and Rana were similar, the differences in effect between the two species were probably due to their roles as consumers rather than as recyclers.
4. The net effect of Rana on periphyton was a 10% increase in areal specific primary productivity (mg O₂ h^–1 m^–2); Hyla caused an 18% decrease. Rana decreased biomass-specific productivity (mg O₂ h^–1 g^–1) 44%; Hyla had no effect.
5. In tadpole exclosures, grazers such as baetid mayfly larvae (mostly Centroptilum sp.) were 4.7 (1991) and 1.8 (1993) times more abundant, and midge larvae (Chironomidae) were 2.5 (1991) and 2 (1993) times more abundant than in Rana enclosures. Invertebrate assemblages in Hyla enclosures, however, were similar to exclosures. Few predatory insects and fish colonized Rana enclosures. Path analyses indicated that Rana affected macroinvertebrates via both interference and exploitation of epiphytic diatoms.     

Facilitation of periphyton production by tadpole grazing: functional differences between species

1. This study examined how interactions between resources that vary in edibility, and herbivores that vary in ability to acquire resources, control primary productivity. In a northern California river, grazing on Cladophora glomerata , a relatively inedible filamentous green alga, and its more nutritious epiphytic diatoms, was manipulated by exposing cobbles to tadpoles ( Rana boylii or Hyla regilla ) or excluding tadpoles.
2. Rana indirectly facilitated Cladophora by removing diatoms, whereas Hyla did not significantly change biomass relative to controls. Algal ash-free dry mass on cobbles in Rana treatments was 65 and 72% greater than on controls in two years of investigation (1991 and 1993). Rana decreased epiphytic diatom biovolume by 56% and detritus by 87%.
3. Because nitrogen excretion rates of Hyla and Rana were similar, the differences in effect between the two species were probably due to their roles as consumers rather than as recyclers.
4. The net effect of Rana on periphyton was a 10% increase in areal specific primary productivity (mg O₂ h^–1 m^–2); Hyla caused an 18% decrease. Rana decreased biomass-specific productivity (mg O₂ h^–1 g^–1) 44%; Hyla had no effect.
5. In tadpole exclosures, grazers such as baetid mayfly larvae (mostly Centroptilum sp.) were 4.7 (1991) and 1.8 (1993) times more abundant, and midge larvae (Chironomidae) were 2.5 (1991) and 2 (1993) times more abundant than in Rana enclosures. Invertebrate assemblages in Hyla enclosures, however, were similar to exclosures. Few predatory insects and fish colonized Rana enclosures. Path analyses indicated that Rana affected macroinvertebrates via both interference and exploitation of epiphytic diatoms.     

Chlorophyll fluorescence measured using the Fraunhofer line-depth principle and relationship to photosynthetic rate in the field

Abstract. A field study was conducted to determine the relationship of solar-excited chlorophyll a fluorescence to net CO₂ assimilation rate in attached leaves. The Fraunhofer line-depth principle was used to measure fluorescence at 656.3 nm wavelength while leaves remained exposed to full sunlight and normal atmospheric pressures of CO₂ and O₂. Fluorescence induction kinetics were observed when leaves were exposed to sunlight after 10 min in darkness. Subsequently, fluorescence varied inversely with assimilation rate. In the C₄ Zea mays , fluorescence decreased from 2.5 to 0.8 mW m^-2 nm^-1 as CO₂ assimilation rate increased from 1 to 8 μmol m^-2 s^-1 (r²= 0.520). In the C₃ Liquidambar styraciflua and Pinus taeda , fluorescence decreased from 6 to 2 mW m^-2 nm^-1 as assimilation rate increased from 2 to 5 or 0 to 2 μmol m^-2 s^-1 (r²= 0.44 and 0.45. respectively). The Fraunhofer line-depth principle enables the simultaneous measurement of solar-excited fluorescence and CO₂ assimilation rate in individual leaves, but also at larger scales. Thus, it may contribute significantly to field studies of the relationship of fluorescence to photosynthesis.     

Habitat selection by grayling-II. Preliminary results on larval and juvenile daytime habitats

Larval grayling were found along the shoreline at velocities <20 cm s^-1 depths <40 cm, shear stress <2 dyn m^-2 and over sand and silt. Juveniles were found in the river channel at currents of 20-40 cm s^-1 depths of 40-60 cm and shear stresses of 2-4 dyn m^-2, over gravel and pebbles.     

Pea seedling growth and development regulated by cotyledons and modified by irradiance

Growth and development of hydroponically grown pea seedlings ( Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska) were measured using stem and root length as well as number of leaves and lateral roots. The growth was dependent on the presence of cotyledons and was modulated by the irradiance. All plants were grown in a full nutrient solution. If grown at low irradiance (73 μmol m^-2s^-1) they depended more and for a longer time on the cotyledons than plants grown at high irradiance (220 μmol m^-2s^-1). Low irradiance caused stem elongation but decreased root length and number of lateral roots as compared to plants grown at high irradiance. The dark respiration of the leaves was measured as oxygen uptake. In plants grown at the low irradiance, excision of the cotyledons caused the rate of oxygen uptake to increase by a factor of three, and the increase was sensitive to cyanide. Decotyledonized plants showed a high respiration rate and a diminished leaf growth for their entire life cycle. CO₂ fixation also increased in decotyledonized pea seedlings grown at either irradiance. The mobilization of food reserves from the seeds was positively correlated to seed dry weight, but only if the plants were grown at 73 μmol m^-2s^-1. Increasing dry weight of the seed enhanced top growth, whereas root growth was depressed, so that top and root responds differently with regard to that part of growth which depends on mobilization of reserves from the seed.     

Continuous ethanol production by flocculating yeast in the fluidized bed bioreactor

Abstract: Continuous fermentation by a highly flocculant strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was carried out in a tower fluidized-bed bioreactor. The synthetic and molasses media with a total sugar concentration of 17% (w/v) were used for fermentation. Different dilution rates were tested. Stable cell densities of 50 kg m^-3(dry weight) were maintained for all dilution rates. The ethanol productivity was increasing linearly with dilution rates up to 15—20 kg m^-3 h^-1. Aeration of the culture stabilized flocculating activity and viability of yeast and also permitted long-term operation of the bioreactor.     

Seasonal changes in biom ass of macrophytes on shaded and unshaded sections of the River Lambourn, England

SUMMARY. Monthly changes in the biomass of Ranunculus, Berula and Callitriche were recorded on two 50-m sites on the River Lambourn at Bagnor between March 1971 and October 1973. On the unshaded site. Ranunculus was the dominant macrophyte and characteristically its biomass changed from 20–40 g dry wt m^-2 in March to around 400 g dry wt m^-2 at the end of the growing season. On the shaded site, where Berula was the dominant macrophyte. the biomass of Ranunculus was lower than on the unshaded site. There was no significant difference between the mean biomasses of Berula on these two sites but Callitriche had a signifieantly higher biomass on the shaded site. Estimates of the total biomass of macrophyte on each site were calculated and the biomass of macrophyte removed during cutting operations each summer was also assessed.