Comparison of techniques to determine the abundance of predatory bacteria attacking chromatiaceae

Abstract This work quantifies the number of bacterial predators attacking the population of Chromatiaceae in the hypolimnion of Lake Estanya to assess the potential role of these microorganisms in controlling phototrophic bacterial populations. The abundance of predators was estimated from total counts of infected prey cells and by counting plaque-forming units. In spite of the large difference between both determinations, their variations with depth and time followed very similar patterns. During the summer, in the hypolimnion, and during the winter in the entire lake, up to 60% of the prey cells had potential predators attached. In comparison, plaque counts showed that viable predators represented less than 1% of the population of the prey. Our results demonstrated that predatory bacteria were far more abundant than indicated by the low viable counts obtained, suggesting that they play a more important role in controlling phototrophic bacterial populations than is currently assumed.     

Molecular Existence and Diversity of Nitrite-Dependent Anaerobic Methane Oxidizing (n-Damo) Bacteria in the Lakes of Badain of the Gobi Desert

Nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (n-damo) process, mediated by Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera of the candidate phylum NC10, was discovered recently which plays an important role in coupling the global nitrogen and carbon cycles. However, the distribution and diversity of this new anaerobic methane-oxidizing microorganism have not been investigated in desert lakes yet. The present study successfully retrieved n-damo bacterial 16S rRNA and pmoA gene sequences using PCR technique from lakes in Badain Jaran Desert of China. Phylogenetic analyses showed that n-damo bacteria widely occurred in brine and freshwater lakes on the desert with high diversity, including both sediment and water samples. The results of quantitative PCR indicated that the abundance of the 16S rRNA gene in lake sediments varied from 1.12?±?0.68?×?10⁵ to 1.64?±?0.70?×?10⁵ copies g^?1 (dry weight), while that in water samples per milliliter was generally one order of magnitude lower than sediments. Correlation analyses suggested that n-damo bacterial abundance and diversity strongly depended on salinity. In lake sediments, the distribution, abundance, and diversity of n-damo bacteria were significantly associated with depth due to the concentration gradient of the NO_x^- and ammonium. This study provided new insights into both the n-damo community patterns and its interaction with ambient environmental factors in the desert lake ecosystem.     

Microbially driven acidity generation in a tailings lake

In situ characterization and geochemical modelling of acid generation in a mine tailings lake (Moose Lake, ON, Canada) over a 2‐year period (2001–2002; surficial lake pyrrhotite slurry disposal initiated in 2002) show that bacteria significantly impact acidity behaviour through particle‐associated S oxidation and that they do so under conditions that differ from those controlling abiotic pathways. Seasonal epilimnetic pH decreases occurred in both years, decreasing from approximately 3.5 in May to 2.8 by September (2001) or July (2002). Epilimnetic acid generation rates were depth‐dependent, with maximal rates observed not at the surface of lake where O₂ concentrations were highest, but rather within a geochemically reactive zone (approximately 1 m thick) of steep, decreasing O₂ gradients and dynamic Fe and S geochemistry in the lower epilimnetic region of the lake. Acid generation occurred dominantly through particle rather than aqueous pathways, but model predictions of acid generation via abiotic pyrrhotite oxidation involving either O₂ or ferric iron (Fe³⁺) predicted neither the observed rates nor the depths at which maximal rates occurred. In contrast, model predictions based on microbial pathways involving both O₂ and ferric iron (Fe³⁺) agreed extremely well with both the observed depth profile of H⁺ generation and the observed rates at any given depth. Imaging showed extensive microbial colonization of epilimnetic‐associated pyrrhotite particles commonly with significant biofilm formation. FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) probing of the community in both pelagic and particle compartments indicated mixed communities occurred in both, and that Acidithiobacillus spp. accounted for 2–46% of the total community in either compartment. Initiation of pyrrhotite slurry discharge at the lake surface in 2002 was accompanied by a relative increase in the number of particle‐associated microbes, as well as a relative proportional decrease of Acidithiobacillus spp. in the total microbial community. Given the widespread occurrence of bacteria across mining environments, the implications of our results extend beyond this specific site and provide new insight into bacterially driven processes contributing to bulk system characteristics which are not currently well constrained.     

Increased Diversity of Predacious <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bdellovibrio</Emphasis>-Like Organisms (BLOs) as a Function of Eutrophication in Kumaon Lakes of India

Predation by Bdellovibrio-like organisms (BLOs) results in bacterial community succession in aquatic ecosystems. The effects of nutrient loading on the distribution and phylogeny of BLOs remain largely unknown. To this end, we present our findings on BLO diversity from four north-Indian lakes that are variable in their trophic status; Nainital is eutrophic, both, Bhimtal and Naukuchiatal are mesotrophic and Sattal remains oligotrophic, respectively. Initially, total heterotrophic bacteria and BLOs were quantified by most probable number (MPN) analyses using Pseudomonas putida and Escherichia coli as prey bacteria. Total bacterial numbers were at least two-logs higher in the eutrophic lake samples compared with oligotrophic lake. Similarly, BLO numbers were approximately 39-fold higher using Pseudomonas sp., which is likely the preferred prey within these lakes. Conversely, significant differences were not observed between mesotrophic and oligotrophic BLO numbers when E. coli was used as the prey. PCR-RFLP of small subunit rDNA (SSU rDNA) of BLOs, followed by cloning, sequencing, and taxonomic categorization revealed distinct differences such that, eutrophic lake consisted of higher BLO diversity compared with mesotrophic and oligotrophic lake, most likely due to both, higher numbers and availability of a diverse population of prey bacteria resulting from nutrient loading in this ecosystem.     

Life history and ecological characteristics of humper and lean ecotypes of lake trout stocked in Lake Erie

Through combined effects of over-exploitation and predation by invasive non-native sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus (Linneaus 1958), the lake trout Salvelinus namaycush (Walbaum 1972) population in Lake Erie collapsed and was considered extirpated by 1950; annual stocking occurred in 1969 to bolster and maintain this population as natural recruitment ceased. While various hatchery strains of lean ecotype lake trout remain the focus of Lake Erie’s stocking, between 2004 and 2011 a humper-like ecotype was stocked to aid re-establishment efforts. We assessed ecotype performance via adult fish collected during the summer-stratified period (2004–2017) and evaluated if life history and ecological characteristics varied between stocked ecotypes. Ecotype-specific differences in survival, length-at-age, accumulation of weight with length, and diet were observed. Lean lake trout grew faster (length-at-age) and matured at larger sizes than the humper ecotype. Humper lake trout exhibited higher sea lamprey wounding and lower survival rates than lean lake trout. Humpers also consumed more benthic prey fish than lean lake trout, suggesting this ecotype may exhibit a more benthic orientation than leans. Our study represents the first evaluation of how a non-lean ecotype lake trout performs outside their native ecosystem and provides fishery managers with valuable information relevant to re-establishing lake trout populations in the Great Lakes.

     

Contribution of photosynthetic sulphur bacteria to primary production in Lake Vechten

The role of photosynthetic sulphur bacteria as primary producers in monomictic Lake Vechten (The Netherlands) is described. Lake Vechten has a surface area of 4.7 ha, a maximum depth of 11.9 m and a mean depth of 6 m.Bacterial populations, appearing at the boundary layer of the oxidative and reductive zone from early June till late October, were composed of cyanobacteria, Chromatiaceae and green and brown coloured Chlorobiaceae. Predominating genera were Synechococcus, Chloronema, Chromatium and Thiopedia. The photosynthetic sulphur bacteria accounted for a primary production rate of 13.6–106.1 mg C.m^–2 day^–1, which corresponded to 3.9–17.5% of total daily productivity in the pelagial zone. The percentage of photosynthetic bacterial production of total annual planktonic primary production calculated for the entire pelagial zone, taking into account compensation for decreasing volume of lower strata, was 3.6% (i.e. 127 against a total production of 3 510 kg C.lake^–1yr^–1).     

Viable phototrophic sulfur bacteria from the Black-Sea bottom

Phototrophic sulfur bacteria were isolated from Black-Sea mud at depths of 660 and 2,240 m. The species obtained in pure cultures were identified asChromatium warmingii andThiocapsa roseopersicina. In addition,Chlorobium phaeovibrioides occurred in enrichment cultures. The findings prove that Chromatiaceae and Chlorobiaceae are capable of survival in 2000 m depth, in the dark, in the presence of H₂S and organic materials. There is, however, no evidence for growth or reproduction of these organisms in this environment.     

Fish distribution and benthic invertebrate biomass relative to depth in an Ontario lake

Synopsis A survey of fish distribution relative to depth in Lake Opinicon, Ontario, using the strip count method showed 80–90% of the biomass to be concentrated along the lake margins at a depth of up to 2.5 m. This figure applied throughout the summer, and to both day and night. Invertebrate diversity and biomass was also biassed towards the margins but slightly less so (mean summer figure 68% of biomass at depth of 2.5 m or less) for the segment of the lake studied. The central parts of the lake have good populations of 1–2 cm Chironomus spp. not predated by fish.There is a close link between the distribution of the specific prey organisms of fish species and the fish themselves. In their predominantly marginal distribution both are concentrated into the area of maximum productivity.     

Effect of salinity on diazotrophic activity and microbial composition of phototrophic communities from Bitter-1 soda lake (Kulunda Steppe,Russia)

Bitter-1 is a shallow hypersaline soda lake in Kulunda Steppe (Altai region, Russia). During a study period between 2005 and 2016, the salinity in the littoral area of the lake fluctuated within the range from 85 to 400 g/L (in July of each year). Light-dependent nitrogen fixation occurred in this lake up to the salt-saturating conditions. The rates increased with a decrease in salinity, both under environmental conditions and in laboratory simulations. The salinities below 100 g/L were favorable for light-dependent nitrogen fixation, while the process was dramatically inhibited above 200 g/L salts. The analysis of nifH genes in environmental samples and in enrichment cultures of diazotrophic phototrophs suggested that anaerobic fermenting and sulfate-reducing bacteria could participate in the dark nitrogen fixation process up to soda-saturating conditions. However, we cannot exclude the possibility that haloalkaliphilic nonheterocystous cyanobacteria (Euhalothece sp. and Geitlerinema sp.) and anoxygenic purple sulfur bacteria (Ectothiorhodospira sp.) might also play a role in the process at light conditions. The heterocystous cyanobacterium Nodularia sp. develops at low salinity (below 80 g/L) that is not characteristic for Bitter-1 Lake and thus does not make a significant contribution to the nitrogen fixation in this lake.

     

Seasonal Changes in the Structure of the Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacterial Community in Lake Mogilnoe,a Relict Lake on Kil'din Island in the Barents Sea

An anaerobic phototrophic bacterial community in Lake Mogilnoe, a relict lake on Kil'din Island in the Barents Sea, was studied in June 1999 and September 2001. Irrespective of the season, the upper layer of the anaerobic zone of this lake had a specific species composition of sulfur phototrophic bacteria, which were dominated by the brown-colored green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium phaeovibrioides. The maximum number of sulfur phototrophic bacteria was observed in June 1999 at a depth of 9 m, which corresponded to a concentration of bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) e equal to 4.6 mg/l. In September 2001, the maximum concentration of this pigment (3.4 mg/l) was found at a depth of 10 m. In both seasons, the concentration of Bchl a did not exceed 3 μg/l. Purple sulfur bacteria were low in number, which can be explained by their poor adaptation to the hydrochemical and optical conditions of the Lake Mogilnoe water. In June 1999, the water contained a considerable number of Pelodictyon phaeum microcolonies and Prosthecochloris phaeoasteroides cell chains, which was not the case in September 2001. A 16S rDNA-based phylogenetic analysis of pure cultures of phototrophic bacteria isolated from the lake water confirmed that the bacterial community is dominated by Chl. phaeovibrioides and showed the presence of three minor species, Thiocystis gelatinosa, Thiocapsa sp., and Thiorhodococcus sp., the last of which is specific to Lake Mogilnoe.     

Dissolved oxygen and thermal regimes of a Ugandan crater lake

This paper quantifies the temporal pattern of thermal stratification and deoxygenation in Lake Nkuruba, a small (3 ha), deep (maximum depth = 38 m) crater lake in western Uganda. Dissolved oxygen penetrated to an average depth of 9 m and a maximum depth of 15 m below which the lake was permanently anoxic over the 2 years of study. Although surface oxygen levels were correlated with both surface water temperature and rainfall, seasonal cycles of dissolved oxygen were not well-defined and may have been obscured by the high frequency of short-term fluctuations and by inter-annual variations caused by shifts in rainfall. Surface water temperature averaged 23.3±0.7 °C (S.D.) and varied directly with air temperature. Both diurnal changes and top-bottom temperature differentials were small averaging 1.7±0.7 °C and 1.6±0.8 °C, respectively. Thermal stability ranged from 101.3 to 499.9 g-cm cm^-2 and was positively related to surface water temperature suggesting that this small protected lake responds rapidly to short-term meteorological changes. Because contribution to the annual heat exchange cycle was confined to upper waters, the lake's annual heat budget was low, 1,073.8 cal cm^-2 yr^-1. However, net primary productivity was relatively high averaging 1.3 g C m^-2d^-1. The region where Lake Nkuruba is situated experienced a very strong earthquake (6.2 on the Richter scale) on 4 February, 1994. Subsequently, water levels dropped markedly in the lake, falling 3.14 m over a 5-month period. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The annual reproductive cycle of the freshwater mussel Dreissena polymorpha Pallas in lakes

Summary The annual development of the gonads of Dreissena polymorpha was studied at three sampling sites in two lakes over 3 and 1 1/2 years, respectively. A resting stage occurred after the last spawning in summer/autumn. Oogenesis (accompanied by multiplying segmentation of the oogonia and early growth processes of its oocytes) restarted in specimens at least 1 year old at low temperatures (below 10° C) during winter and early spring. At one location (Fühlinger See) the onset of the spawning season was correlated with an increase of water temperatures above 12° C. At 2 m depth, two main spawning periods in May and August were normally recognized, the first at temperatures of 12–16° C, the second at 16–21° C. It was clearly demonstrated for the first time in Dreissena polymorpha that the oocytes became mature in successive cohorts within one gonad. A female mussel may spawn several times during the reproductive season. At 9 m depth, the onset of spawning also started at about 12° C; this occurred in late summer, with two spawning periods within 1 month at a temperature range of 12–16° C. At another location (Heider Bergsee) the size of the gonads and the oocytes was reduced during April of both years studied, when food supply was low simultaneously with rapidly rising water temperatures in this shallow lake. There was no spawning period during spring. The major spawning period was delayed until July (temperatures 19–22°C). This shows (1) the synchronizing influence of low winter temperatures on the annual reproductive cycle and (2) a temperature threshold of at least 12° C for the start of the spawning processes. The results are discussed with regard to the geographical limits of further spread of Dreissena polymorpha.     

Seasonal changes in the structure of the anoxygenic phototrophic bacterial community in Lake Mogilnoe, a relict lake on Kil'din Island in the Barents Sea

An anaerobic phototrophic bacterial community in Lake Mogilnoe, a relict lake on Kil'din Island in the Barents Sea, was studied in June 1999 and September 2001. Irrespective of the season, the upper layer of the anaerobic zone of this lake had a specific species composition of sulfur phototrophic bacteria, which were dominated by the brown-colored green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium phaeovibrioides. The maximum number of phototrophic sulfur bacteria was observed in June 1999 at a depth of 9 m, which corresponded to a concentration of bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) e equal to 4.6 mg/l. In September 2001, the maximum concentration of this pigment (3.4 mg/l) was found at a depth of 10 m. In both seasons, the concentration of Bchl a did not exceed 3 microg/l. Purple sulfur bacteria were low in number, which can be explained by their poor adaptation to the hydrochemical and optical conditions of the Lake Mogilnoe water. In June 1999, the water contained a considerable number of Pelodictyon phaeum microcolonies and Prosthecochloris phaeoasteroides cell chains, which was not the case in September 2001. A 16S rDNA-based phylogenetic analysis of pure cultures of phototrophic bacteria isolated from the lake water confirmed that the bacterial community is dominated by Chl. phaeovibrioides and showed the presence of three minor species, Thiocvstis gelatinosa, Thiocapsa sp., and Thiorhodococcus sp., the last of which is specific to Lake Mogilnoe.     

Microbial Processes of the Carbon and Sulfur Cycles in Lake Mogil'noe

In the beginning of the summer of 1999, complex microbiological and biogeochemical investigations of meromictic Lake Mogil'noe (Kil'din Island, Barents Sea) were carried out. The analysis of the results shows a clearly pronounced vertical zonality of the microbial processes occurring in the water column of the lake. To a depth of 8 m, the total number and activity of microorganisms was limited by the relatively low content of organic matter (OM). In the upper part of the hydrogen-sulfide zone of the lake (beginning at a depth of 8.25 m), the content of particulate OM and the microbial number sharply increased. In this zone, the daily production of OM during anaerobic photosynthesis at the expense of massive development of colored sulfur bacteria reached 620 mg C/m², which was twofold greater than the daily production of phytoplankton photosynthesis and led to a considerable change in the isotopic composition (¹³C) of the particulate OM. In the same intermediate layer, the highest rates of sulfate reduction were recorded, and fractionation of stable sulfur isotopes occurred. Below 10 m was the third hydrochemical zone, characterized by maximum concentrations of H₂S and CH₄and by a relatively high rate of autotrophic methanogenesis. The comparison of the results obtained with the results of investigations of previous years, performed in the end of summer, shows a decrease in the intensity of all microbial processes inspected. An exception was anoxygenic photosynthesis, which can utilize not only the de novo formed H₂S but also the H₂S accumulated in the lake during the winter period.     

Predicting concentration of total phosphorus and chlorophyll a in a lake with short hydraulic residence time

The relationship between total phosphorus and chlorophyll a concentration was determined for Skinner Lake, Indiana over an annual cycle in 1978–79. Total nitrogen:total phosphorus ratios in the epilimnion ranged from 19 to 220 suggesting a phosphorus-dependent algal yield in the epilimnion. Approximately 90% of annual TP loading reached the lake via streamflow, and 93% of this entered during snowmelt and spring-overturn periods. At that time incoming water flushed the lake 2.4 times. Atmospheric loading accounted for 1.4% of annual TP load. Internal hypolimnetic TP loading occurred during summer stratification. Mean [chl a] for the ice-free period was 15.15 mg m^–3, within the range expected for eutrophic lakes.The 1978–79 data were used in conjuction with the Vollenweider & Kerekes (1980) model to produce a model specific for the Skinner Lake system. The model predicted mean epilimnetic total phosphorus and chlorophyll a concentrations from mean total phosphorus concentration in inlet streams and from lake water residence time during the period of spring overturn and summer stratification. The Skinner-specific model was tested in 1982 and it closely predicted observed mean epilimnetic [TP] and [chl a] during the ice-free period. This study shows that variability in lake models which average data over an annual period can be reduced by considering lake-specific seasonal variation in hydrology and external TP loading.     

Predation Pattern and Phylogenetic Analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bdellovibrionaceae</Emphasis> from the Great Salt Lake,Utah

The Bdellovibrionaceae are predatory, intraperiplasmic bacteria that prey upon a variety of Gram-negative bacteria. The prey susceptibility pattern is frequently used to characterize new isolates. The objective in this study was to isolate and characterize predators from the Great Salt Lake (GSL) by prey susceptibility testing. To recover the predators, water samples were inoculated into an enrichment medium with Vibrio parahaemolyticus as prey. After several days of incubation, the predators were isolated, pure DNA was extracted, and partial 16S rDNA gene was sequenced. Water samples were also plated for isolation of heterotrophic bacteria. The susceptibility of bacterial isolates from the lake and other sources to each predator isolate was determined. The results revealed that there are predators in the GSL, and they preferentially prey on bacteria from the lake. This is the first report of the isolation of Bdellovibrionaceae from GSL and the predators showing preferences for bacteria from the same habitat.     

Occurrence of cell-associated mucilage and soluble extracellular polysaccharides in Rostherne Mere and their possible significance

The cell-associated mucilage and soluble extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) were investigated in a eutrophic freshwater lake (Rostherne Mere, Cheshire, U.K.) over up to 2 year annual cycles. Five particular lake algae (Anabaena spiroides Klebahn, Anabaena flos-aquae Brébisson ex Bornet & Flahault,Anabaena circinalis Rabenhorst, Microcystis aeruginosa Kützing emend. Elenkin and Eudorina elegans Ehrenberg) were found to be the major contributors to cell-associated mucilage, particularly M. aeruginosa. Calculation of the total amount of cell-associated mucilage in the phytoplankton samples showed that it occupied 0.0001–0.007% (the latter during a bloom of Microcystis) of lake water volume within the epilimnion. Seasonal changes in the total volume of associated mucilage reflected the succession of mucilage-producing algal species in Rostherne Mere, which was closely correlated with the physico-chemical (temperature, oxygen, pH, nutrients) and biological (Secchi depth, phytoplankton) parameters within the lake. High levels of cell-associated mucilage present in the lake may have potential for binding metals or other ions in the aquatic environment. Colourimetric determination of the concentration of soluble EPS revealed concentrations of between 2.5 and 60 mg l^–1, with peak levels during the bacillariophyceaen bloom and late clear water phase. The second phase did not appear to relate directly to changes in algal population, and may result from bacterial activity, algal lysis or zooplankton activity. As soluble EPS forms a major component of the total amount of dissolved carbon in lakes, the study of the soluble EPS is important to understand the carbon cycle in freshwaters. No direct correlation occurred between algal-associated mucilage and soluble EPS over a single annual cycle.     

Microbial Methanogenesis and Acetate Metabolism in a Meromictic Lake

Methanogenesis and the anaerobic metabolism of acetate were examined in the sediment and water column of Knaack Lake, a small biogenic meromictic lake located in central Wisconsin. The lake was sharply stratified during the summer and was anaerobic below a depth of 3 m. Large concentrations (4,000 μmol/liter) of dissolved methane were detected in the bottom waters. A methane concentration maximum occurred at 4 m above the sediment. The production of ¹⁴CH₄ from ¹⁴C-labeled HCOOH, HCO₃⁻, and CH₃OH and [2-¹⁴C]acetate demonstrated microbial methanogenesis in the water column of the lake. The maximum rate of methanogenesis calculated from reduction of H¹⁴CO₃⁻ by endogenous electron donors in the surface sediment (depth, 22 m) was 7.6 nmol/h per 10 ml and in the water column (depth, 21 m) was 0.6 nmol/h per 10 ml. The methyl group of acetate was simultaneously metabolized to CH₄ and CO₂ in the anaerobic portions of the lake. Acetate oxidation was greatest in surface waters and decreased with water depth. Acetate was metabolized primarily to methane in the sediments and water immediately above the sediment. Sulfide inhibition studies and temperature activity profiles demonstrated that acetate metabolism was performed by several microbial populations. Sulfide additions (less than 5 μg/ml) to water from 21.5 m stimulated methanogenesis from acetate, but inhibited CO₂ production. Sulfate addition (1 mM) had no significant effect on acetate metabolism in water from 21.5 m, whereas nitrate additions (10 to 14,000 μg/liter) completely inhibited methanogenesis and stimulated CO₂ formation.     

Seasonal and ontogenetic variations in resource use by two sympatric Arctic charr morphs

The study compares the resource utilization of two sympatric Arctic charr morphs over an annual period in a subarctic lake. The two morphs are reproductively isolated in time and place of spawning, and are referred to as the littoral and profundal morphs (L-morph and P-morph) according to their spawning habitats. Fish were sampled monthly (ice-free season) or bimonthly (winter) using gillnets in the main lake habitats. The spatial range of the P-morph was restricted to the profundal zone throughout the whole annual period. The L-morph in contrast utilized all main habitats, exhibiting distinct seasonal and ontogenetic variations in habitat distribution. In the spring, the whole L-morph population was located along the bottom profile of the lake, in profundal and littoral habitats. During summer and autumn, habitat segregation occurred between different life-stages, juveniles mainly utilizing the profundal, pre-adults the pelagic and adult fishes the littoral zone. During winter the whole population was assembled in the littoral habitat. The L-morph also had large seasonal and ontogenetic variations in their feeding ecology, with littoral zoobenthos, zooplankton and surface insects being important prey. The P-morph had a narrower diet niche mainly consisting of chironomid larvae and other profundal zoobenthos. Hence, the two Arctic charr morphs exhibited a consistent resource differentiation during all annual seasons and throughout their life cycles, except for a dietary overlap between P-morph and juvenile L-morph charr in the profundal during summer. The findings are discussed in relation to resource polymorphism and incipient speciation.     

Spatial overlap of a predatory copepod,Acanthocyclops robustus,and its prey in a shallow eutrophic lake

Spatial overlap between Acanthocyclops robustus, with special emphasis on the adult females, and other zooplankton in one basin of a shallow (approximate depth of 2 m) eutrophic lake was studied.Horizontal distribution patterns were analysed on two dates. On both dates, most taxa examined showed large-scale patchiness between the three sections of the lake basin (approximate length of 1.2 km). Similarly, most taxa, with the important exception of the adult female Acanthocyclops robustus, were significantly patchily distributed on the small-scale (i.e. within sections). However, the intensity of such patchiness was, in general, relatively low. There was no consistent evidence of aggregation by the adult females or copepodites and adult males (the latter two were considered together) of the predator in such small-scale prey patches.Diurnal vertical distribution patterns were studied on two 24–25 hour periods. The first period was characterized by calm weather. Adult female, and perhaps male, Acanthocyclops robustus, Chydorus sphaericus, Bosmina Coregoni, Keratella cochlearis, Asplanchna species, Polyarthra vulgaris and Pompholyx sulcata seemed to show diurnal migration patterns, while seven other taxa showed consistent preferences for particular depths. Only copepod nauplii and Daphnia species were approximately evenly distributed. Negative correlations were found between the vertical distributions of the adult female predator and seven of the seventeen potential prey recognized.The first half of the second period was characterised by strong winds which abated during the second half. Most zooplankton taxa showed inconsistent heterogeneous vertical distributions or were homogeneously distributed with vertical heterogeneity developing towards the end of the period. Only Bosmina longirostris and Daphnia species seemed to show vertical migration patterns. Thus, no consistent vertical segregation between predator and prey was detected.