Comparison of zoobenthos and zooperiphyton of large and medium rivers

The results of a study of zoobenthos and zooperiphyton of two rivers of the Ob’ River middle reaches are shown. A comparative analysis of the composition and abundance values of two ecological groups of zoobenthos and zooperiphyton hydrobionts has revealed the difference in their taxonomic compositions and dominant complexes. The similarity in total number and biomass of zoobenthos and zooperiphyton in the large river and the higher values of zooperiphyton quantitative development in a medium river have been identified.     

Spatial structure of zooperiphyton in a small river (West Siberia)

Basic quantitative characteristics of zooperiphyton from the Uk River are presented. Factors effecting the composition and structure of invertebrates have been found. The effect that the current velocity, water level, and different types of pollution have on zooperiphyton in the small river is shown. The pollution of the river reduces taxonomic diversity. The maximum effect is caused by the discharge of mineralized waters. In clean portions of the river, Trichoptera dominate in biomass; in polluted parts, their role decreases and the larvae of chironomids and leeches prevail in zooperiphyton.     

Composition and distribution of sponges (Porifera) in continental waters of western Siberia

The paper presents data on the composition and distribution of freshwater sponges in western Siberia. Recently, four species have been found in lakes and rivers, and one species has been recorded in a study of palynological and archaeological samples. Freshwater sponges live mainly in the small rivers and lakes of the forest-steppe and southern taiga zones. About a hundred taxa of aquatic invertebrates have been recorded together with the found sponges. The biomass of sponges among the zooperiphyton significantly decreases northwards.     

Phytophilous zoocoenoses of Lake Teletskoye

The composition, structure, and spatial distribution of zoobenthos and zooperiphyton at plantfilled regions of the littoral of Lake Teletskoye have been analyzed. The dependence of the taxonomic composition, number, and biomass of zoobenthos on vegetation type has been discovered. A multilevel character of the distribution of invertebrates in macrophyte overgrowths has been shown. An analysis of the trophic structure of the communities of macroinvertebrates revealed the predominance of algodetritophagous animals in zooperiphyton. The role of plant overgrowth as a “life concentrator” in an oligotrophic lake has been revealed.     

Spatial structure of zooperiphyton from the Ob River

Data on the qualitative and quantitative composition of zooperiphyton in the middle and lower reaches of the Ob River are reported, revealing the basic factors affecting its growth. Along most of the river, the zooperiphyton forms a continuum, which is disturbed at sites exposed to pollution. It is found that communities dominated by caddisworms prevail over most of the river; a decrease in the river stream velocity causes a change in the communities, with the replacement of Trichoptera by gastropod communities.     

Taxonomic and trophic structures of dominants in the zooperiphyton of waterbodies and watercourses of the upper Volga basin

All the main trophic groups of invertebrates are presented in the compositions of dominant assemblages of zooperiphyton in the studied waterbodies and watercourses. The strong pollution of water by suspended solids of anthropogenic origin in the water of the upper Volga reservoirs leads to the suppression of typically sessile filter-feeding invertebrates (sponges, bryozoans, and Dreissena) able to form the highest biomass of zooperiphyton using natural food items. The conditions of the disturbed structure of food resources are favorable for the development of detritivores-gatherers. In small rivers receiving industrial wastewaters, excessive amounts of food in the water column and in the form of sediments on the substrates suppresses invertebrates-biofowlers and facilitates the expansion of the benthic larvae of chironomids of g. Chironomus (combining the filtration and gathering of food particles on the substrates) to the vacant spatial niches. At the same time, the role of nematodes and oligochaetes with prevailing detritophages increases. In the acidified lakes of the Darwinsky National Reserve, the decrease in the total species diversity of zooperiphyton is accompanied by decreases in the role of filter-feeding invertebrates. The chironomid larvae and oligochaetes prevailed in the poor zoocenoses. The roles of predatory caddisfly larvae, black gnats, and nematodes increased. The labile structural characteristics of zooperiphyton with the conservation of the historically formed methods of foraging are the main modern way that biofouling communities adapt to changes in the quality and quantity of food resources upon modern anthropogenic pollution of the aquatic environment.     

Changes in the zooperiphyton structure in a small river along the spatial gradient

A total of 165 taxa have been recorded in the zooperiphyton of the Sestra River, among which larvae of chironomids (40), nematodes (24), and oligochaetes (21) have the highest species richness. The increase in the taxonomic richness of zoocenoses from the river head to its mouth is weakly expressed. The highest diversity of zoocenoses is characteristic for the contact zones of the river water with its tributaries and receiving waters. The discreteness of spatial characteristic of the taxonomic composition of zooperiphyton reflects the heterogeneity and diversity of habitat conditions of invertebrates. In regards to its effect on zoocenoses, anthropogenic pollution can exceed the impact of many environmental factors (including the current velocities) which affect the formation of rheophilic communities in river ecosystems. The dominant complexes of zooperiphyton include all trophic groups of invertebrates, among which the group of detritophages-collectors has the highest taxonomic diversity. The group of phytodetritophages-filterers + collectors mainly includes chironomid larvae of the genus Chironomus, which are associated with strongly polluted zones. Invertebrate filterers, sponges, and bryozoans prevail mainly in zooperiphyton in the lower reaches of the river, which are not subjected to the pollution.     

Successions of zooperiphyton in a small river

In the small Latka River, which is characterized by a high heterogeneity of abiotic characteristics and a rich fauna composition, a high diversity of developing zooperiphyton structures was recorded consisting of invertebrates with short life cycles: the larvae of chironomids, caddisflies, mayflies, oligochaetes, nematodes, and other animals. One distinctive feature of seasonal and interannual zooperiphyton succession is the annual prevalence in abundance of spreading chironomid larvae of age I, which belong to the most representative dominating group of amphibiotic invertebrates, including species adapted to different saprobic conditions. The taxonomic and quantitative domination of chironomids make it possible to consider the family Chironomidae a key group in the formation of the zoocenosis structure. Under disturbed habitat conditions (pollution, rainfall floods, and the press of omnivorous invertebrates), the restoration of typical structures occurs rather quickly due to the particular features of biology in species short life cycles. However, no relative stabilization in communities was observed. This is the main difference between the sequence of succession processes in the Latka River and that observed in large water bodies (lakes and water reservoirs), where there are no strict limitations on living-space volume or food availability and abiotic conditions are more stable, thus allowing filter-feeding sessile animals (sponges, bryozoans, and zebra mussels) to develop on solid substrates. These species are able to develop multispecies consortia and form relatively stable long-term communities.     

On the interrelation of diversity and structural and functional indicators of hydrobiont communities

Empirically derived relationships between indicators of diversity of zoobenthos, zooperiphyton, and zooplankton and the structural characteristics of communities in reservoirs of various types are presented. The relationships between indicators of diversity, the biomass of communities, the spatial structure, and the ratio of energy stored in biomass and scattered energy have been elicited.     

Study on zooperiphyton and zoobenthos of a small river

The special traits of zooperiphyton and zoobenthos structures in a small river were studied. Under conditions of maximal proximity of niches, these groups of invertebrates retain taxonomic and ecological heterogeneity. Differences in zooperiphyton and zoobenthos taxonomic structures are most pronounced in terms of presence of dipterans, oligochetes, and mollusks. In the periphyton, the dominant groups are chironomid (orthocladines, chironomines, and tanitarsines) larvae, oligochetes of fam. Naididae and mollusks of fam. Limnaeidae. In the benthos chironomid (chironomines and tanirodines), oligochetes of fam. Tubificidae, and mollusks of fam. Pisidiidae are dominant. On average, the bottom invertebrates are considerably larger than fouling organisms. At similar abundance values, the biomass of benthos is by an order of magnitude higher compared to zooperiphyton. Ranging of average biomasses of zooperiphyton and zoobenthos revealed that the leader common for both communities is the large and mobile predatory leech, Erpobdella octoculata (Linnaeus). The anthropogenic impact and zoogenic (beavers) impact upon the river biota are comparable to each other.     

Planktonic fauna of small salmon rivers in the Kola Peninsula

The zooplankton of 23 small salmon rivers of the White Sea and Barents Sea basins in the Kola Peninsula were studied. The species composition and quantitative indices in juvenile salmonids habitats are characterized. The maximum species diversity and abundance of planktonic fauna were recorded in lake-regulated rivers and places with large quantities of water. The quantitative development of zooplankton in rivers is low, which testifies to its minor role as a food resource for salmonid juveniles. The assessment of the ecological state of the river water is presented.     

淀山湖周丛动物群落的初步研究

作者于1991年11月至1992年11月对淀山湖水生植物上周丛动物进行了初步研究。共观察到84种周丛动物,以原生动物(38.10%)和轮虫(22.62%)占多数。按个体大小,分为小型周丛动物群落和大型周丛动物群落两种群落类型。小型周丛动物群落的优势种为似钟虫、角突臂尾轮虫等,个体数量受周丛原生动物支配,一年中有两次高峰(3-4月份和11月份),生物量在3月份最大,主要受周丛轮虫控制。大型周丛动物群落的优势种为线虫和螺类,一年只有一次数量高峰(6-8月),生物量中螺类占绝对优势(96.4%)。周丛动物在不同水生植物上的分布数量不同,沉水植物中以金鱼藻最多,大茨藻最少;并且叶上的数量明显高于茎上。漂浮植物上一般多于沉水植物,且根部最多,茎、叶相近。水生植物上周丛动物多为广布种,特有种罕见,主要出现于小型周丛动物群落中。       

Ostracods (Crustacea and Ostracoda) in the zooperiphyton of waterbodies and watercourses of Tyumen oblast (Western Siberia)

The species composition of ostracods in the zooperiphyton was determined in 45 waterbodies and watercourses of Tyumen oblast. A total of 58 species from seven families and 22 genera of the suborder Podocopa Sars, 1866, have been found: 30 species of the family Candonidae, 13 of Cyprididae, 8 of Cyridopsidae, 3 of Ilyocyprididae, 1 of Darwinulidae, 2 of Cytherideidae, and 1 of Limnocytheridae. Of these 58 species, 32 are recorded for the first time in the region; one of them is a Mediterranean species (Stenocypris sp.) from the cooling reservoir of Tyumen Thermal Power Station 1. The distribution and biogeography of the ostracods are described.     

Comparative population genetics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Basilichthys microlepidotus</Emphasis> (Atheriniformes: Atherinopsidae) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichomycterus areolatus</Emphasis> (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) in north central Chile

To describe comparative population genetic structure of the Chilean silverside Basilichthys microlepidotus and the catfish Trichomycterus areolatus, four rivers and three sites within each river were investigated by the analysis of haplotype polymorphisms of the mitochondrial Control Region. For both species, analyses revealed significant differentiation among rivers and low differences within rivers. However, the species differ in haplotype composition; individuals of B. microlepidotus shared some haplotypes in all four rivers, while individuals of T. areolatus showed a different haplotype composition in most rivers. This difference may be explained by the different ecological features of the species. Assuming that both silversides and catfish were present before the separation of the rivers, B. microlepidotus migrated after river isolation, probably using coastal water, while T. areolatus has probably never migrated between these rivers. The long times that the studied rivers have been separated should be taken into account in future conservation plans for the freshwater fish of Chile.     

Climate and geographic distance are more influential than rivers on the beta diversity of passerine birds in Amazonia

Variation in the spatial structure of communities in terms of species composition (beta diversity) is affected by different ecological processes, such as environmental filtering and dispersal limitation. Large rivers are known as barriers for species dispersal (riverine hypothesis) in tropical regions. However, when organisms are not dispersal limited by geographic barriers, other factors, such as climatic conditions and geographic distance per se, may affect species distribution. In order to investigate the relative contribution of major rivers, climate and geographic distance on Passeriformes beta diversity, we divided Amazonia into 549 grid cells (1° of latitude and longitude) and obtained data of species occurrence, climate and geographic position for each cell. Beta diversity was measured using taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional metrics of composition. The influence of climatic variables, geographic distance and rivers on these metrics was tested using regression analyses. Passerine beta diversity is characterized mainly by the change in species taxonomic identity and in phylogenetic lineages across climatic gradients and over geographic distance. However, species with similar traits are found throughout the entire Amazonia. The size of rivers was proportional to their effect on species composition. However, climate and geographic distance are relatively more important than rivers for Amazonian taxonomic and phylogenetic species composition.     

Composition and structure of phytoplankton in lowland rivers of the upper Ob basin

Taxonomic composition and structure of the phytoplankton were studied in the lowland rivers of the upper Ob basin: Barnaulka, Bol’shaya Losikha, and lower Inya. It has been shown that the phytoplankton of a large river system in Eurasia, exemplified by the Ob basin, is characterized by spatial heterogeneity in its taxonomic composition.     

Survey methodology for fish population assessment within Anglian water

Basic data required for the maintenance, improvement and development of inland fisheries within the Anglian Water Authority area are derived from surveys carried out since 1977. All open river systems are sampled on a 3-year cycle and basic data are obtained on species composition, density and biomass as well as year-class structure and growth rates of dominant species.
The netting and electrofishing gear and techniques used to obtain quantitative and semi-quantitative samples from rivers, drainage channels and the Norfolk Broads are described and their advantages and disadvantages discussed. The mark and recapture and multiple removal techniques employed with these methods are described and an assessment given of sampling efficiency in different situations.     

The dynamics of terrestrial invertebrate inputs to the food web of a small salmon river

The qualitative composition and quantitative characteristics of the syrton allochthonous fraction in one of the rivers of the Russian Far East are examined. It is assumed that the daily dynamics of terrestrial invertebrate drift is determined by the specificity of their daily migrations on land. A counterargument to the theory of the zoobenthos nighttime drift strategy as a way to avoid drift-feeding predators is suggested.     

The bottom invertebrates of small rivers in an area where pesticides were buried

The effect of Kilmezskii pesticide burial on the condition of zoobenthos of Osinovka and Loban’ rivers (the Vyatka River basin, Kirovskaya oblast) is reviewed. A faunistic list of water invertebrates in these rivers is published for the first time, qualitative and quantitative indices of zoobenthos development are given, and the condition of watercourses is assessed using bioindicative methods. The peculiarities of benthic communities of the Osinovka River and its tribute, i.e., a significant impoverishment of species composition, the simplification of structural organization, and low bioindicative indices, allow us to assume that the burial has a negative effect on zoobenthos condition.     

Fish community structure in the Missouri and lower Yellowstone rivers in relation to flow characteristics

Human alteration is commonplace among large rivers and often results in changes in the flow regime which can lead to changes in fish community structure. We explored the features of fish community structure, morphological characteristics, functional composition, and life-history attributes in relation to six unique flow regimes in the Missouri and lower Yellowstone rivers where we found significant differences in community composition and abundance. The clearest pattern was the distinction between the channelized portion of the river below the mainstem reservoirs and all other parts of the Missouri and lower Yellowstone rivers due to a marked reduction of species richness above the reservoirs. We also found morphological, functional, and life-history differences among the flow units, with the inter-reservoir communities consisting of slightly more generalist characteristics. Our results suggest some relation between flow and fish community structure, but that human alteration may have the strongest influence in distinguishing community differences in the Missouri and lower Yellowstone rivers.