Ecology of cavernicolous ciliates from the anchihaline lagoons of Mallorca |
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Authors: | Carey Philip G Sargent Angela J Taberner Antoni Martínez Ramón Guillem Moyà Gabriel |
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Institution: | (1) Division of Biology, School of Environmental and Applied Sciences, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GB, U.K.;(2) Division of Biology, School of Environmental and Applied Sciences, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GB, U.K.;(3) Departament de Biologia, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Carretera de Valldemossa Km. 7.5, 07071 Palma, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain |
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Abstract: | On the island of Mallorca, anchihaline lagoons, meromictic in character, are common in the flooded coastal karst. These subterranean lagoons, containing important populations of crustacea, maintain a connection, albeit tenuous, to the sea. Thus, the first truly quantitative study of marine ciliates inhabiting anchihaline lagoons was undertaken between April 1996 and April 1997. Physical and chemical measurements were taken in-situ, together with water samples for faunal analysis in each of four stratified lakes. These lagoons typically displayed a temperature inversion, an increase in conductivity and a decrease in dissolved oxygen concentration with depth. Ciliates were present in all lagoons studied, with a total of nine species recorded. All were assigned to known taxa. Spatial distribution of the trophic cells was noteworthy with populations clearly stratified within the water column, most being found at the waters surface, sometimes in association with rafts of floating calcite crystals, or in the sediment. Only on one occasion were ciliates recorded in mid-water. Abundance was very low, typically <1 ciliate cm–3. The floating calcite crystals may form a delimitable biotope for ciliate populations. The role of the cyst in maintaining populations of ciliates in these cave waters is discussed. |
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Keywords: | ciliates marine caves anchihaline ecology |
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