Structural and trophic characteristics of protozoan plankton in a subarctic Lake (Northern Karelia)

The seasonal dynamics of ciliate abundance has been studied in Lake Krivoye (the White Sea coast). A high species diversity of ciliates and their maximal biomass in the plankton are observed in the early spring in spite of low water temperatures (5–7°C). In spring, infusoria comprise 90% of the zooplankton biomass; i.e., infusoria as primary consumers are the main consumers of algal and microzooplankton production and the major carriers of energy to the next trophic level. During this period, a significant portion of planktonic infusoria biomass is constituted by the species containing zoochlorella. The high biomass of symbiotic algae (25% of the total biomass of planktonic algae) in a spring cilioplankton testifies to the important role that algosymbionts play in the primary production in some parts of the year.     

Phytoplankton structure and diversity in the eutrophic-hypereutrophic reservoir Paso de las Piedras, Argentina

This study aimed at analyzing the phytoplankton structure and dynamics in Paso de las Piedras Reservoir, Argentina, through the study of dominant species, diversity and similarity in relation with the abiotic environment. Samples were collected weekly or biweekly (January 2004–June 2005) at four sampling stations. The reservoir experienced a seasonal progression in phytoplankton composition that underlines six successional periods, each one characterized by the dominance of one or a few species. Cyanobacteria, green algae and diatoms were the most important constituents of the reservoir’s phytoplankton. Cyanobacteria dominated during summer and early autumn, green algae during late autumn and early winter, and diatoms during winter and spring. A high abundance of R. lacustris (Cryptophyceae) was observed during late September and early October. The general pattern of species succession is coherent with the general model of plankton seasonal succession described by the PEG model; however, the major discrepancy is the extremely short clear water phase observed. Successional periods were associated with changes in abiotic variables, and they showed differences in ecological traits. Cyanobacteria-Dictyosphaerium, Cyclotella, Stephanodiscus and Anabaena-diatom periods were characterized by a low number of cells, high diversity, with both dominance and specific richness low. On the contrary, during Cyanobacteria and Cyanobacteria II periods, the highest abundance was observed associated with low diversity and high dominance.     

Le phytoplancton des étangs de Berre et Vaïne (Méditerranée Nord-occidentale)

Phytoplankton of the Etang de Berre and Etang de Vaïne (N.W. Mediterranean) The phytoplankton in the brackish Etang de Berre and Etang de Vaïne was studied regularly at 12 stations for two years. The recent diversion of the Durance River into the Etang de Berre has effected a fundamental change in this formerly marine environment, which has had a great impact on its plankton populations. A total of 182 taxa were identified, including 111 Bacillariophyceae, 44 Chlorophyceae, and 15 Cyanophyceae. The most abundant species are small freshwater algae, mainly Chlorophyceae, since the salinity is generally less than 3 0/00. However, during summer and fall, as well as in waters near the bottom, the salinity can reach 15 0/00 and marine diatoms are predominant. Because the nutrients in the environment are constantly replenished, phytoplankters are always numerous, ranging in abundance between several million to several hundred million per liter. There is a somewhat irregular seasonal cycle. The average density is about 10⁸ cells/1 in the Etang de Berre, and about double that amount in the Etang de Vaïne. Differences in phytoplankton abundance and composition at the various stations or at various depths are slight.     

The inshore marine ecosystem off the Vestfold Hills,Antarctica

The planktonic, ice/water interface, and benthic communities at three sites off the coast of the Vestfold Hills, Antarctica, were examined over a complete year.The planktonic flora and fauna were composed predominantly of oceanic species with diatoms and copepods the numerically dominant groups. Primary production was largely restricted to the summer months except for epontic algae which developed in spring. The zooplankton exhibited a similar seasonal cycle but lagged some months behind that of the phytoplankton.The ice/water interface (epontic) fauna consisted of species from the plankton and benthos. Copepods were major contributors; however, two amphipod species dominated. Seasonality of the fauna in this habitat was determined by ice formation and breakout, and development of ice algae.Each of the benthic substrates supported a characteristic macrofaunal assemblage, although infaunal amphipods and tanaids were similar at each site. Infauna exhibited a distinct seasonal cycle related to that of the primary producers whereas macrofauna showed no seasonal changes in abundance.Species composition of each community in this coastal antarctic region was comparable with that of similar habitats in other antarctic coastal areas, supporting the circumpolarity of antarctic marine communities.     

Interannual variability in species composition explained as seasonally entrained chaos

The species composition of plankton, insect and annual plant communities may vary markedly from year to year. Such interannual variability is usually thought to be driven by year-to-year variation in weather conditions. Here we examine an alternative explanation. We studied the effects of regular seasonal forcing on a multi-species predator–prey model consisting of phytoplankton and zooplankton species. The model predicts that interannual variability in species composition can easily arise without interannual variability in external conditions. Seasonal forcing increased the probability of chaos in our model communities, but squeezed these irregular species dynamics within the seasonal cycle. As a result, the population dynamics had a peculiar character. Consistent with long-term time series of natural plankton communities, seasonal variation led to a distinct seasonal succession of species, yet the species composition varied from year to year in an irregular fashion. Our results suggest that interannual variability in species composition is an intrinsic property of multi-species communities in seasonal environments.     

Phytoplankton periodicity in a subtropical lake (Lake Kinneret,Israel)

Lake kinneret is a subtropical monomictic lake characterized by a Pyrrhophyta-Chlorophyta assemblage, supplemented by Cyanophyta in some years. Concerning their abundance and seasonal occurrence, the phytoplanktonic algae belong to two groups: algae appearing in quantity at a definite annual period and algae present throughout the year. Four stages of algal succession occur in the lake. There is a marked periodicity in the phytoplankton composition with a high standing stock in winter-spring, due to the dinoflagellate water-bloom, and a low one during the summer months, related to the high stability of summer stratification. The annual succession at the species level has been an almost constant event in the lake for many years.The increase in nutrient concentrations in 1973 and 1974 increased the diversity and abundance of algae (except Peridinium) but did not lead to significant changes in algal succession. Conversely, the decrease of the zooplankton grazing pressure in 1975 and 1976 facilitated the development of algal maxima during summer-fall. They were caused by nanoplanktonic forms, and they developed without additional enrichment of nutrients. The algal abundance and diversity decreased. The years 1981 and 1982 were characterized by both an increase in phosphorus and a decrease in zooplankton. These conditions favored the concomitant abundance of many species and an increase of non-Pyrrhophyta biomass.     

Gentoo penguin Pygoscelis papua diet as an indicator of planktonic availability in the Kerguelen Islands

Since penguins rely on the main planktonic resources of the Southern Ocean, knowledge of their diet may be used for monitoring these resources During winter and spring of 1987 and 1989, we investigated the composition of the diet of gentoo penguins. Pygoscelis papua, in relation to changes in the availability of two prey species, Euphausia vallentini and Themisto gaudichaudii, sampled during plankton surveys in the Kerguelen Islands. The comparison between plankton surveys and diet analysis was performed on samples taken 2–4 km from the studied colonies. Data on the abundance of Zooplankton derived from penguins' diet matched closely those from net hauls during a year of high plankton availability (1987). On the other hand, a weaker correspondence was found during a year of restricted availability (1989). The mean sizes of amphipods caught by penguins and net hauls were very similar but the size distribution showed comparatively fewer small and large individuals in net-hauls than in penguin stomachs. Detailed studies on the feeding range and foraging effort of penguins are therefore needed in the near future to validate the potential of penguin diet as a measure of plankton abundance.     

Seasonal dynamics of chrysophyte stomatocyst formation in the plankton of Southern Baikal

The results of studies on the phytoplankton of Southern Baikal in 2004 show that siliceous stomatocysts (cysts) of chrysophyte algae make a significant contribution to this community. Their abundance reaches a peak of 46 800 cysts/L between August and October, when the concentration of biogenic elements is minimum. The D/C coefficient (the ratio of diatom cells to stomatocysts) varies during the year, reflecting the seasonal succession of phytoplankton and changes in the concentration of biogenic elements in the photic layer. Fifty morphotypes of the stomatocysts have been distinguished and divided into 25 groups by morphological characters. These groups differ in seasonal dynamics. The stomatocysts of group 5 (with spines of different lengths in the equatorial and posterior parts) dominate over other morphotypes and reach the highest concentration (13 600 cysts/L) in August. The data obtained in this study may provide an additional criterion for assessing the present-day state of Lake Baikal and for paleolimnological reconstructions.     

Observations on the incidence and seasonal fluctuations of certain crustacean larvae in the plankton of the South-West Coast of India

The seasonal fluctuations in the incidence of planktonic organisms and the larval forms of certain crustaceans such as crabs, barnacles and post larvae of prawns in the plankton of the south-west coast of India have been followed for a period of three years from 1963. South-west monsoon period is the least productive period for zooplankton in this area. Brachyuran zoeae, post larvae of prawns and barnacle nauplii occur in the plankton throughout the year with distinct peaks for different groups. The zoeae ofUca annulipes occur in the plankton from September to May with a peak during November–December. The zoeae ofPortunus pelagicus are present in the plankton from September to June and their abundance is in February–March. The post larvae ofMetapenaeus affinis are found in the inshore plankton from November to June with the peak in March. The nauplii ofBalanus amphitrite communis occur in the plankton in all the months of the year, the peak incidence has been during November January. The zoeae ofU. annulipes are found to tolerate better the medium saline conditions. Of the ecological factors, salinity of the ambient water and the availability of planktonic food for the larvae seem to influence the seasonal fluctuations of these crustacean larvae in this locality.     

Jellyfish of the Far Eastern Seas of Russia. 3. Biomass and abundance

The biomass and abundance of large jellyfish (Cnidaria: Scyphozoa, Hydrozoa) was estimated and their seasonal and interannual dynamics was studied based on the data of trawl surveys conducted by the Pacific Research Fisheries Center (TINRO Center) in the Sea of Okhotsk, Bering Sea, Sea of Japan, and the Northwestern Pacific Ocean (NWPO) in 1991–2009. Most of the jellyfish biomass (over 95%) in the Sea of Okhotsk, Bering Sea, and NWPO was formed by Chrysaora spp., Cyanea capillata, Aequorea spp., Phacellophora camtschatica, and Aurelia limbata. The same species along with Calycopsis nematophora predominated in abundance in the Bering Sea and NWPO, while Ptychogena lactea, C. capillata, and Chrysaora spp. were most abundant in the Sea of Okhotsk. In the northwestern Sea of Japan, Aurelia aurita, C. capillata, and Aequorea spp. predominated both in abundance and biomass. Generally, the jellyfish abundance reached the highest values in the summer and fall and decreased abruptly in the winter. Meanwhile, the seasonal dynamics proved to be specific for each species and were manifested in some of them by reaching maximum values at various periods of the warm season, whereas the other (Tima sachalinensis and P. lactea) showed the reverse pattern of seasonal variations, with the highest abundance in cold months. Jellyfish biomass and abundance varied greatly from year to year, which was related to the short lifecycle and alternation between sexual and asexual generations, in which reproductive success was predetermined by various environmental factors. In the fall, year-to-year fluctuations of the relative biomass could increase by ten times. In 1991–2009, it varied from 200 to 2000 kg/km² in the northern Sea of Okhotsk, from 500 to 4200 kg/km² in the northwestern Bering Sea, and from 300 to 3700 kg/km² in the southwestern Bering Sea. Taking the jellyfish abundance estimates into account, along with the vertical distribution and the seasonal dynamics, the overall biomass of large species that occurred in trawl catches in Far Eastern seas and adjacent Pacific waters during the warm season could reach 13.0–15.0 million tons, of which up to about 6.0 million tons would be concentrated in the western Bering Sea and 5.5–6.0 million tons in the Sea of Okhotsk.     

The seasonal dynamics of potentially toxic and harmful phytoplankton species in Novorossiysk Bay (Black Sea)

The seasonal dynamics of the taxonomic composition and abundance of potentially toxic and harmful phytoplankton species in the Novorossiysk Bay in 2005–2007 was studied. The network of monitoring stations covered areas with different hydrological and hydrochemical parameters, as well as locations of the dumping of ship-ballast water, which are particularly susceptible to biological invasion. In all, 19 species of potentially toxic and harmful algae were recorded; their abundance reached 3 million cells/L. These were mostly diatoms (Pseudo-nitzschia) and dinophytes (Prorocentrum, Dinophysis, Scrippsiella, and Ceratium), whose abundant development (262 thousand and 8.8 thousand cells/L, respectively) was annually recorded in April–August. From September to March, the abundance of representatives of these divisions averaged no more than 6 and 2.7 thousand cells/L, respectively. An outbreak of the prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis pouchetii (38 thousand cells/L) in the port area was observed from April to August, 2006.     

Phytoplankton in Water Objects of the Vychegda River Basin

In 2014, for the first time in the last 55 years, phytoplankton of the water bodies of the Vychegda River Basin has been studied. The basis of plankton communities is made up of algae from Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, and Cyanoprokaryota divisions. In terms of quantitative indicators, leading groups with the prevalence of diatoms are identified. The range of abundance and biomass of algae is 3.92–27.82 million cells/L and 0.3–2.9 mg/L, respectively. The biomass of phytoplankton and hydrochemical indices make it possible to classify the studied water objects as second–fourth water-quality classes, with an increase in trophic status under conditions of an anthropogenic load increase.     

Changes of zooplankton communities in the Gulf of Tigullio (Ligurian Sea, Western Mediterranean) from 1985 to 1995. Influence of hydroclimatic factors

Year-to-year variations in abundance and composition of zooplanktonwere studied in the Ligurian Sea at a station sampled two timesa month between 1985 and 1995. As a break of 2 years (April1989–December 1990) occurred in the time series, the STATISmethod was chosen instead of time series analysis. Each of thenine sampled years was a single table of monthly or seasonalaverage densities of 26 plankton taxa. STATIS allowed (i) estimationof similarity between each yearly table, (ii) visualizationof the trajectories of both species and observations (seasons)from one year to another, and (iii) associations of particularspecies, which showed similar temporal variations, to be determined.A strong seasonal variation was evident for most species, andyears 1987, 1992 and 1994 were different from the others. Trajectoriesindicated which species were stable and which were characterizedby small or large fluctuations during the nine years. Five differenttaxa associations were detected. For each association, the mostrepresentative period was identified, where each period wasa group of months obtained by clustering on species abundances.Taking into account hydro-climatic factors in the representativeperiods, a contingency discriminant analysis allowed us to identifyand characterize the most discriminant environmental parametersassociated with each group of species. Environmental factorsthat best discriminated the different representative periodswere atmospheric pressure, current speed and direction, andwater temperature.     

Studies on the phytoplankton of the River Ganges,Varanasi, India,Part II “The seasonal growth and succession of the plankton algae in the River Ganges”

Summary An attempt has been made to find out the productivity and periodicity of the phytoplankton in relation to the physical and chemical characteristics of the river Ganges, between University Ghat and Raj Ghat at Varanasi. The observations were taken during a single year (i.e., March 1957 to March 1958). The chemical analyses of the water and estimates of the number of phytoplankton were made on samples collected fortnightly.The phytoplankton has proved to be eutrophic and polymixic in nature. Diatoms formed the largest bulk, blue-greens being the second major constituent while the green algae formed the third in order of abundance with, however, large number of species. A definite phytoplankton periodicity has been noticed and found to be seasonal in character.Correlations between the phytoplankton periodicity and population maxima, with the habitat factors revealed depletion of nutrients like, nitrogen, phosphate, silica, carbon, magnesium and sulphates.Changes in the phytoplankton populations were clearly evident more in relation to physical than to chemical conditions of the water. Changes in water-level, transparency and temperature affected the growth of the phytoplankton.High alkalinity and buffering capacity resulted in preferential growth of diatoms and blue-green algae. Rich phosphates and silicates coupled with moderate nitrogen contents were responsible for high phytoplankton yields in summer and winter seasons.The abundance of blue-greens may be due to the higher values of pH, temperature, dissolved organic matter, phosphate, nitrogen, and relatively high values of dissolved oxygen. Green algae showed a wide range of adaptability but could not develop in any abundance.     

Changes in phytoperiphyton community during seasonal succession: influence of plankton sedimentation and grazing by phytophages--Chironomid larvae

The investigation of seasonal changes in spatial structure of phytoperiphyton during succession was conducted at the lower reaches of Akulovsky water channel from April to August 2000. At the beginning of succession from April to June dominant forms were chain-forming diatoms and filamentous green algae, sedimented from plankton. Later, at the middle of June under increasing pressure of herbivorous, they were replaced by stretched unicellular diatoms and colonial cyanobacteria. In late June-August, when herbivorous predation was the most intensive, the relative abundance of typical periphytonic forms decreased while that of settled planktonic forms increased. The effect of planktonic algae sedimentation on periphyton composition was evaluated as similarity between phytoperiphyton and phytoplankton communities measured with Chekanovski--Sorensen index. The value of this index tends to decrease with the development of periphyton while showing some relation to intensity of herbivorous pressure. Minimal values of Chekanovski--Sorensen index were under moderate herbivorous density, whereas maximal values were observed in periods of extremely high or low herbivorous density.     

Factors Controlling the Planktonic Community in the Shallow-Lake of Créteil,France

A two-year study on the seasonal pattern of plankton was performed in a shallow, polymictic, eutrophic lake. Autogenic successions typical of stratified lakes did not occur. Only small edible algae developed throughout the two years and Cyanophyceae rarely appeared, and did not bloom. Algal sequences depended on wind-induced periodic mixing of water. The seasonal pattern of Rotifers varied greatly from year to year and some species depended on sporadic increases of algae. In contrast, the seasonal pattern of microcrustacea was more regular. Resting stages played an important role in zooplankton development in this variable environment. Successful fish reproduction depended a great deal on climatic conditions. The changes from year to year in predation pressure from young fish appeared to be an important factor controlling zoo-plankton structure.     

The plankton ecology of some thermal springs in West Bengal,India

Estimates of planktonic growth kinetics in relation to the thermal environment were made over a two year period in three hot springs and one cold one located in West Bengal, India. A very characteristic feature of the Saubhagya Kund (43–49°C) and Papahara (46–51°C) was the abundance of phytoplankton, always dominated by blue-green algae. This situation changed in the other two springs where zooplankton was an essential component. The determination of the species diversity index indicated that the graph of cumulative species of plankton versus logarithm of individuals was roughly linear in Saubhagya Kund and Papahara, whereas in the other two a logistic curve was the result. The seasonal distribution of Myxophyceae/Phytoplankton was dependant upon the annual phosphorous cycle (P < 0.0001) in all the thermal waters studied. That the population dynamics of diatoms responded inversely to the level of phosphate (P < 0.05) has been clearly manifested in Swetganga (37–46°C). The variation in the silicate content of the water throughout the year has been found responsible for the seasonal succession of diatoms in some of the waters (P < 0.001). The multiple correlation between phosphate, silicate, dissolved oxygen and pH and Myxophyceae/Phytoplankton was significant in the case of Papahara (P < 0.01) and Swetganga (P < 0.05). Similarly, the multiple correlation between these factors and Bacillariophyceae was significant in Saubhagya Kund (P < 0.01). In the non-thermal water Jibatsa Kund (22–39°C), the multiple correlation between these factors and Phytoplankton was, however, not significant (P > 0.05).     

Mechanisms responsible for the development of periphyton community structure during seasonal succession: the role of interspecies competition and plankton sedimentation

The development of periphyton community structure by exchange of organisms between substratum and water column (noninteractive mechanism) and by interspecific competition for surface (interactive mechanism) was studied during seasonal succession in Akulovsky water supply channel (the Upper Volga basin). The influence of exchange was assumed by similarity between the species composition of plankton and periphyton. At early stages of succession when the diatoms dominated in periphyton the community was formed mainly by phytoplankton sedimentation, while the competition for substratum didn't result in decrease of species diversity because the poor competitors were partly displaced by new colonists from the water column. Later when the green filamentous algae abundantly developed in periphyton, their numbers were probably controlled by factors not related to exchange of propagules. At the same time, the species structure of secondary periphyton cover developing on the thallus of filamentous algae depended mainly on the plankton sedimentation. At the last stages of seasonal succession when periphyton was represented by colonies of cyanobacteria and diatoms closely covering the substratum, the exchange of organisms between substratum and water column was not so important as interspecific competition for surface. As one could suppose, increase in biomass in this period resulted in the decrease of specificity as it was predicted by hypothesis of interactive community. In such a way, both mechanisms (interactive and noninteractive ones) took part in development of periphyton structure. Their relative influence changed in the course of seasonal succession.     

Zooplankton in hollow-pools (using raised bogs in Vologda oblast, Russia, as an example)

Data on the biodiversity, structure, and seasonal dynamics of zooplankton communities in hollowpools of raised bogs in Vologda oblast are presented for the first time. The fauna of zooplankton communities in hollow-pools totals 38 species of plankton invertebrates (Rotatoria, 12; Cladocera, 19; and Copepoda, 7), and is mainly presented by acidophilic and sphagnophilic species. The water bodies are characterized by a high abundance and biomass of zooplankton organisms. The diversity and productivity of the zooplankton community increase with an increase in the area and depth of hollow-ponds. The seasonal dynamics of the abundance and biomass of zooplankton is similar in all groups of hollow-pools and depends on changes in the dominant complex of invertebrates.     

沱江浮游生物群落时空分布及相关环境因子分析

为研究沱江浮游生物群落结构的时空特征,并探讨影响其形成的环境因子,于2013年对沱江10个采样断面按季节进行采样分析。研究期间共检出浮游甲壳动物13种,以中小型枝角类和剑水蚤为主; 尽管桡足类密度与枝角类接近,但由于体型原因桡足类生物量始终占据优势地位。检出浮游植物7门95种,优势属7个,全年均以硅藻为主。两类生物在上游资阳市区的断面中总生物量最高,中游农村断面最低; 其生物量季节变化也趋于一致,均在丰水季节8月取得最高值,枯水季节2月最低。与历史数据相比,呈现出浮游植物增多,浮游甲壳动物减少的趋势。根据结构方程模型(SEM)和冗余分析(RDA)的结果,浮游甲壳动物生物量在浮游植物生物量和溶氧高的环境中较大,桡足类对溶氧的要求比中小型枝角类高。浮游植物对高温、高营养和高pH较偏好,尤其是一些优势属。尽管受浮游植物生物量影响,浮游动物对浮游植物的控制力却极弱。在流速缓慢且污染较严重的城市江段浮游植物密度已高达2.7107 cells/L,浮游动物尽管能选择性地以部分浮游植物为食,对其控制力却极弱,如不加强污染控制,沱江可能有暴发水华的危险。