Distribution and Interannual Changes of the Zooplankton of the Durgun Water Basin and Adjoining Water Objects (the Western Mongolia)

The article describes quantitative and structural characteristics of zooplankton of polytypic sites of a water system including a lake, canal, and a water reservoir. It is shown that in the littoral zone of lakes and water reservoirs, the number of species and communities is higher, and biomass, lower. However, in the littoral zone of shallow lake zooplankton in number, took priority due to Rotifera, in the deep part of the water body – Rotifera and Cladocera; in the center of the lake zooplankton dominated by biomass due to Cladocera and Copepoda, in the water reservoir—due to the Copepoda. The dam area of the water reservoir had the highest species richness of zooplankton among all studied sites. The greatest number and biomass of zooplankton within a waterbody are noted in upper part, where a sedimentation zone had formed, and as a whole for the system of the investigated waterbodies, the maximum quantity indices are typical of lake communities. It is revealed that the starkest interannual changes in zooplankton were observed in the shallow lake: the number of species decreased—in the littoral zone at the expense of Rotifera, and in the center, the biomass increased at the expense of Cladocera; in deep-water area of the dam area of the reservoir, conversely, the number of species, as well as the number and biomass of the community, increased due to Copepoda.     

Island biogeography, diversity and dominance of zooplankton in crater lakes on the Azores

In July and August 1988 samples of zooplankton were collected from 17 lakes on four islands. Five species of Cladocera, three species of Copepoda and 30 species of Rotifera were found. The maximum numbers of species in any one lake were four planktonic Cladocera, two Copepoda and seven planktonic Rotifera (with up to six additional non-planktonic species). The smallest, most distant island had fewer species than the largest island nearest to the mainland, but the number of species in each lake was determined more by the size of the lake than by its location. This results in the most distant island having lakes containing the same number of species as lakes of similar size on islands nearer to the mainland. The numbers of zooplankton species in each of these lakes are significantly lower than the world average, and the dominance ratios are significantly higher.     

Zooplankton dynamic of Lake Prespa (Macedonia)

The composition and temporal abundance patterns of zooplankton community in Lake Prespa pelagic zone were studied throughout an annual cycle (October 2008–September 2009). Eighteen species (10 Rotifera, 5 Cladocera, 2 Copepoda, 1 Mollusca) were evidenced. It includes Arctodiaptomus steindachneri, an endemic calanoid of the Western Balkans. The zooplankton density varied during the investigated period and certain seasonal successions in temporal transpositions of their maximal development were noticed. The total zooplankton density was much higher in spring and summer period. The representatives of subclass Copepoda were dominant during the whole year. The dominant species was A. steindachneri. At the second place (with exception of the winter period) were the Cladocera representatives. The dominant species was Daphnia cucullata. At the third and fourth place were rotifers and larval form of Dreissena polymorpha, respectively. The quantitative presence of the Copepoda representatives was significantly lower in terms of the previous investigations. The Cladocera quantity reached high values during this period, particularly in summer. Such altering in the quantitative ratio between Copepoda and Cladocera in favor of the Cladocera, especially high quantitative presence of D. cucullata, typical for eutrophic lakes, imply of significant changes in zooplankton community and changes of the water quality in Lake Prespa pelagial.     

Composition,size, and biomass of zooplankton in large productive Florida lakes

Crustacean zooplankton data were compiled from long-term observational studies at seven large shallow Florida lakes, to determine whether there are general characteristics in regard to species composition, body size, and biomass. In particular, we examined whether patterns in body size and species richness fit empirical models developed by Stanley Dodson. The lakes included range in size from 125 to 1730 km² and encompass mesotrophic to hyper-eutrophic conditions. We found that zooplankton biomass was strongly dominated by one species of calanoid copepod—Arctodiaptomus dorsalis. Large daphnids were absent, and Cladocera assemblages were dominated by small taxa such as Ceriodaphnia, Chydorus, and Eubosmina. The total number of species of pelagic cladocerans (8–12) was consistent with Dodson’s predictions based on lake area. The average size of crustacean zooplankton in Florida lakes is small in comparison with temperate communities. A. dorsalis is the smallest calanoid copepod in North America, and the mean length of Cladocera (0.6 mm) is consistent with Dodson’s results that size decreases from temperate to tropical zones. Total biomass of crustacean zooplankton was very low, ratios of zooplankton to phytoplankton biomass (0.01–0.1) are among the lowest reported in the literature, and the zooplankton displayed short-lasting early spring peaks in biomass. Cladocera were almost entirely absent in spring and summer. Factors known to occur in Florida lakes, which appear to explain these characteristics of biomass, include intense fish predation and high summer water temperature.     

苏州工业园区湖泊后生浮游动物群落结构及影响因子

苏州工业园区地处长江流域下游,随着城市化进程的不断推进,园区水生态系统结构与功能的稳定面临严峻考验。浮游动物作为水生态系统的重要组成部分,探究其群落结构的形成机制对生物多样性保护及生态系统健康发展具有重要意义。为深入了解苏州工业园区五个主要湖泊后生浮游动物群落结构的动态变化及影响因子,于2018年7月至2019年6月进行4次调查。研究共检出后生浮游动物112种（轮虫65种、枝角类29种、桡足类18种）,其中优势种12种（轮虫10种、枝角类和桡足类各1种）。Jaccard相似性分析表明,湖泊间后生浮游动物物种组成整体处于中等相似水平。后生浮游动物密度呈现出显著的季节和湖泊差异,而生物量、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数以及Margalef丰富度指数仅存在显著的季节差异。聚类分析结果表明,夏季和秋季后生浮游动物群落结构最为相似。RDA分析表明,水温、溶解氧和pH是影响园区湖泊后生浮游动物群落结构的主要环境因子。Pearson相关性分析表明,湖泊面积与后生浮游动物群落结构无显著相关关系,样点近岸距离与生物量具有显著的正相关关系。基于水质评价标准和物种多样性指数可知,园区湖泊水质整体处于轻-中度污染水平。研究表明苏州工业园区五大湖泊后生浮游动物群落结构表现出同质化趋势;季节变化、环境因子以及样点近岸距离是调控群落结构形成的主要因素。     

Zooplankton associations in East African lakes spanning a wide salinity range

Abstract The zooplankton of 38 East African lakes has been analysed in terms of species richness and dominance. The conductivities of the lakes range from 48 to 72 500 µS cm^–1 20 °C. The lakes generally contain more species of rotifers than either Copepoda or Cladocera. The number of species of rotifers begins to decline at a conductivity below 1000 µS cm^–1, and falls to 2 or 3 species above 3000 µS cm^–1. Similar reductions occur in the Copepoda and Cladocera.Many species can be dominant at conductivities below 1000 µS cm^–1, but the range is restricted progressively with increasing salinity. The dominant species of Rotifera, Copepoda and Cladocera change independently along the salinity gradient, but there are indications of interactions and modifications of community structure by predation and competition.     

Changes in autumn zooplankton in the pelagic zone of Lake Sevan (Armenia) during the increase in fish abundance

The qualitative composition and structure of the autumn zooplankton in the pelagic zone of Lake Sevan in years that were characterized by different abundancies of fish are described. In October 2013, upon the increase in whitefish abundance, the species richness of zooplankton increased insignificantly; the values of the trophic coefficient and the Shannon index, calculated by the number, increased; and the specific number of Rotifera and Cladocera decreased. At the same time, atypical changes were recorded in the development parameters of zooplankton invertebrates. They were expressed as an increase in the total biomass due to Cladocera, among which large Daphnia (Ctenodaphnia) magna Straus occupied the leading position. The possible reasons for the particular changes in zooplankton are discussed.     

Features of the structure and spatial distribution of plankton in the Sheksna Reservoir

Based on the field studies conducted in August 2005 and 2007, the distributions of zooplankton structure and abundance, as well as chlorophyll content, in the Sheksna Reservoir are analyzed. A total of 107 zooplankton species have been found (46 Cladocera, 18 Copepoda, and 43 Rotifera), including 24 species (10 Cladocera, 2 Copepoda, and 12 Rotifera) new for the reservoir. In the surface layer of water, where blue-green algae concentrate, zooplankton abundance and biomass are 1.5–5 times lower and the zooplankton structure is simpler than in deeper layers. The highest zooplankton biomass (>3 g/m³) are observed in Lake Beloe and the upper area of the Sheksna section, while in the near-shore sites it did not exceed 1 g/m³. There are no significant changes in zooplankton abundance when compared to the abundance recorded at the end of the past century.     

Zooplankton Associations in the Middle Niger-Sokoto Basin (Nigeria: West Africa)

The species richness of the crustacean zooplankton (Cladocera and Copepoda) and Rotifera in the Middle Niger-Sokoto Basin is characterised from 351 samples collected from 109 localities. 26(4) Cladocera, 18(8) Copepoda and 38(8) Rotifera are recorded. Figures in brackets indicate first records of species for Nigeria. Zooplancton associations of the Middle Niger are compared with one of its major tributaries, River Sokoto, and seven of its minor tributaries using similarity indices of Sørensen and Pearsons Product Moment Cluster Coefficients. The Rivers Sokoto and Shagari consistently had the highest similarity of zooplankton associations, for all combinations of rivers studied with r = 0.54 (Cladocera), r = 0.91 (Copepoda) and r = 0.54 (Rotifera). Zooplankton associations of the Middle Niger are weakly correlated with all tributaries studied (r < 0.1). Species composition and hydrology of the River Sokoto Basin are also compared with previous studies in Nigeria. A Principal Component Analysis of species abundance accounted for 54 % of the total variance. It again confirmed the similarity of the branches Sokoto and Shagari. Two groups of species assemblages were identified. The occurrence of Asplanchna sp., Testudinella patina and Microcyclops varicans in one group appears related to microhabitat selection. The other group made up of Brachionus calyciflorus calyciflorus, Macrothrix spinosa, Lecane luna, Thermocyclops decipiens and Metacyclops minutus is suspected to be linked to physico-chemistry. Further studies on the hydrology and physico-chemistry are required for definitive identification of both factors.     

Ontogenetic shift in dietary preference and low dietary overlap in rohu (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis>) and common carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyprinus carpio</Emphasis>) in semi-intensive polyculture ponds

In order to investigate ontogenetic changes in diet and diet overlap between rohu (Labeo rohita) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in polyculture ponds, food preferences of different size classes of these fishes were quantified. Rohu diet consisted of both phytoplankton and zooplankton, and there was a distinct ontogenetic shift in the relative importance of these food items. Zooplankton was the dominant food for rohu up to 20.6 cm total length (TL) and then gradually decreased in importance as fish grew. Phytoplankton was initially a minor component of rohu diet but gradually increased in importance and became the dominant food for rohu at 24.2 cm TL. Phytoplankton biovolume in rohu guts was positively correlated with fish size (TL). Chesson’s α indicated that rohu of all sizes preferentially selected Cladocera and avoided Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae. Young rohu initially preferred Rotifera and Copepoda but gradually switched to Bacillariophyceae and Chlorophyceae. Common carp diet consisted of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic macroinvertebrates, but was dominated by benthic macroinvertebrates (63–92% of total diet). As common carp grew, the proportion of zooplankton ingested decreased and the proportion of benthic macroinvertebrates increased. Benthic macroinvertebrate biovolume in common carp guts was positively correlated with fish size. Common carp of up to 15.4 cm TL preferentially selected zooplankton, but common carp larger than 18.9 cm TL avoided this food item. Common carp of all sizes avoided phytoplankton. A low dietary overlap was found between rohu and common carp (Schoener overlap index: 0.08–0.35), probably due to ingestion of smaller quantities of zooplankton by the latter. Dietary overlap also decreased with increasing rohu and common carp size because of divergent ontogenetic shifts in dietary preferences of the two species.     

The impact of zooplankton status on the management of Lake Kinneret (Israel)

Monthly averages of standing stock wet biomass of zooplankton in Lake Kinneret (Israel) varied between 11 and 76 g m^–2 during 1969–1981, with the exception of two months. Averaged contributions of different groups were: Cladocera 58%, Copepoda 35% and Rotifera 7%. Total standing crop wet biomass is highest during January–June, averages varied between 35 and 50 g m^–2, and decreases during summer–fall (23–36 g m^–2). The winter biomass of Cladocera fluctuated between 22 and 35 g m^–2 and dropped to a range of 9–23 g m^–2 in summer, whereas copepod biomass varied very little around an average of 18 g (ww) m^–2 with the exception of low values from April to June. The stock biomass of Rotifera is relatively high during winter floods season (December-March) whilst in summer it is very low.Young stages of fish in Lake Kinneret feed mostly on zooplankton and zoobenthic forms. The most abundant fish in the Kinneret ecosystem, Mirogrex terraesanctae terraesanctae, also feed on zooplankton at the adult stage throughout the year, and herbivorous fish consume zooplankton during the summer when lake plankton resources are limited.The summer ecosystem of Lake Kinneret is characterised as a steady state type, in which the impact of the zooplankton-chain is of great importance. Increase of predation pressure on zooplankton by fish can disequilibrate the balanced trophic relations existing between nannoplankton production and zooplankton grazing capacity. Such a situation can lead to organics accumulation as nannoplankton blooms, resulting in water quality deterioration. Management options aimed at preventing collapse of zooplankton populations are discussed.     

Fish-zooplankton interactions and their effects on water quality of a tropical Brazilian reservoir

The influence of zooplanktivorous fishes on the plankton community and water quality of Americana Reservoir, Brazil was studied experimentally in 4 floating enclosures during the dry seasons (July–September) of 1982 and 1983. Two enclosures were stocked with adult fish (Astyanax bimaculatus in 1982;A. fasciatus in 1983) at near maximal densities measured in the reservoir upper surface waters (35 m^–2) and two were fish-free during each experiment lasting about one month. Marked differences were evident between the fish and fish-free enclosures after a 2–3 week period in each experiment, particularly with respect to water transparency, phytoplankton biomass, and zooplankton abundance as well as species and size composition. By the end of each experiment water transparencies were lower and phytoplankton biomass higher in the fish enclosures compared to those without fish. Also at that time Rotifera were the prominent zooplankters in the fish enclosures and Cladocera in the fish-free ones. Larger or more conspicuous species of Cladocera asDaphnia gessneri, D. ambigua, andMoina micrura were present in the fish-free enclosures but not in the fish enclosures. The interactions between fish predation, zooplankton grazing, phytoplankton biomass and water quality conditions are discussed in relation to eutrophication of a tropical aquatic ecosystem.     

Seasonal fluctuation in the zooplankton community of Azibo reservoir (Portugal)

The seasonal fluctuation in the zooplankton community of Azibo reservoir (Portugal), was studied from November 1986 till November 1987.Fifty-three species of Protozoa, Rotifera, Copepoda and Cladocera were found. The zooplankton community was numerically dominated by rotifers, which represented 66% of the total.The highest rotifer density was reached in the beginning of spring. It decreased after the cladocerans peaked in May.Copepods had two maxima, one in April and another one in September.Although protozoans rose to high densities during winter (1.07 × 10⁵ ind m^–3), their contribution to total biomass was small (2.03%).     

The Freshwater Zooplankton of Sri Lanka,with a Discussion of Tropical Freshwater Zooplankton Composition

Based on the study of over 500 zooplankton samples collected in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) during 1965–1974, the species composition from different habitats is analysed. The zooplankton assemblage is typically tropical with relatively few species of Cladocera and Copepoda. The Rotifera include a large number of species of the genus Brachionus. The limnetic zooplankton resembles the pond zooplankton closely in that all the eurytopic species found in the different types of habitats, including ponds, also occur in the limnetic zooplankton. The large Cladocera belonging to the genus Daphnia are very rare. In general, large zooplankters are absent. The size composition of the zooplankton has a smaller range than in temperate regions. This is due to the absence of large-sized zooplankton species. The reasons for the differences in species variety and size composition between zooplankton of temperate and tropical regions is perhaps due to a number of factors. These include the effects of high and uniform temperatures, food availability and predation by fish and invertebrates.     

安庆西江浮游动物群落结构及江豚生存状况评估

为了解安庆西江浮游动物群落结构, 进而评价江豚(Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis)的生存状况, 于2015年4月至2016年1月对西江浮游动物和环境因子进行了季节性调查。研究结果表明: (1)共采集浮游动物55种, 其中原生动物13种、轮虫27种、枝角类9种、桡足类6种。4个季节间浮游动物种类数差异较大, 夏季种类数最多, 为39种; 冬季种类数最少, 仅为16种。(2)全年浮游动物平均密度和生物量分别为4115 ind./L和1.735 mg/L, 且均以原生动物和轮虫为主。方差分析结果表明, 不同季节间浮游动物密度和生物量均存在显著差异, 且夏季浮游动物密度和生物量均显著高于其他3个季节。(3)全年共记录优势种12种, 其中原生动物4种、轮虫6种、桡足类2种; 不同季节间浮游动物优势种的组成差异明显。(4)采用浮游动物生物量对水质的评价结果显示西江水体处于中营养状态; 运用Shannon多样性指数和Margalef多样性指数对水质的评价结果显示西江水体处于α-中污状态, 表明西江水质基本上满足江豚生存需求。(5)依据浮游动物的现存量, 估算出西江食浮游动物鱼类的渔产力为54340.2 kg, 相应地可满足36头江豚的营养需求。研究结果不仅有助于了解长江故道这种特殊水体浮游动物的群落特征, 还对迁地保护区江豚的保护有重要意义。     

淀山湖浮游动物的群落结构及动态

为帮助利用生物操纵技术进行淀山湖水体富营养化治理,2004年1月至2005年12月对淀山湖浮游动物群落结构,包括种类组成、种群动态、现存量进行了2周年的系统调查.淀山湖浮游动物有128种,其中浮游原生动物23属29种、轮虫23属51种、枝角类15属33种、桡足类15种.年均密度6 965ind/L,原生动物和轮虫分别占62.19%和36.77%,密度高峰出现在春季;生物量年均为6.00mg/L,以轮虫和枝角类占优势,分别占51.65%和38.38%,生物量高峰出现在夏季.4个类群浮游动物多样性指数H'与其均匀度指数J呈显著正相关,原生动物群落多样性指数H'与其密度呈显著负相关.根据浮游动物密度及优势种组成特征判断,淀山湖水质为富营养型.原生动物多样性指数具有较好的水质指示作用.     

Review of the fauna of Rotatoria,Cladocera, and Copepoda of the basin of the Anadyr’ River

The zooplankton composition is studied in the thermokarst, glacial and meteorite lakes, channels, former riverbeds, and hollows in the basin of Anadyr’. We found 174 taxa: 78, Rotatoria, 55, Cladocera, and 41, Copepoda. The most diverse is the lake fauna: 51 taxa of Rotatoria, 48, Cladocera, and 37, Copepoda. The thermokarst Lake Maiorskoe hosts 68 taxa: 31, Rotatoria, 14, Cladocera, and 23, Copepoda, wheras the cold ultraoligotrophic Lake El’gygytgyn features only one species of Cyclop of the group scutifer Cyclops neymanae Strel., and Rotatoria and Cladocera are present as allochtonous forms. The Copepoda illustrate the relations of the Anadyr’ fauna with those of Europe, North America, and Japan.     

Physico-chemical limnology and plankton dynamics of Mazvikadei,a tropical reservoir in Zimbabwe

The limnology of Mazvikadei Reservoir, northern Zimbabwe, was investigated in 2015 to determine whether it had changed since filling in 1990. The reservoir is characterised by low algal biomass, low nutrients (i.e. N and P) and high water clarity/transparency. Fifty-four species of phytoplankton were recorded, comprising Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Desmids, Dinophyta and Euglenophyta. Chlorophyta numerically dominated in the hot dry season, whereas Bacillariophyta, Desmids, Dinophyta and Euglenophyta dominated in the cool dry season. Species richness was highest at the onset of the cool dry season, in response to high nutrient concentrations. Phytoplankton abundance and composition were significantly correlated with temperature, nitrates and total nitrogen. Nineteen zooplankton species were recorded, including Copepoda, Cladocera and Rotifera. Overall, Cladocera were numerically dominant and became most abundant during the cool dry season. Rotifers and copepods dominated during the hot dry season. The zooplankton abundance was correlated with reactive phosphorus and phytoplankton abundance. The trophic state of Mazvikadei Reservoir seems to have stabilised and to have assumed the physico-chemical characteristics and plankton community typical of an oligotrophic lake.     

Ecological impact of introduced fish in high altitude lakes: a case of study from the European Alps

Fish introduction is a major threat to alpine lake biota leading to the loss of native species and to the degeneration of natural food-webs. This study provides an extensive investigation on the impact of the introduced fish Salvelinus fontinalis on the native communities of alpine lakes in the Gran Paradiso National Park. We compared the macroinvertebrate and zooplankton communities of six stocked and nine fishless lakes with a repeated sampling approach during the summers 2006–2009. The impact of fish presence on alpine lake fauna is often mediated by the strong seasonality governing these ecosystems, and it dramatically affects the faunal assemblage of littoral macroinvertebrates and the size, structure, and composition of the pelagic zooplankton community with a strong selective predation of the more visible taxa. Direct ecological impacts include a decrease or extinction of non-burrower macroinvertebrates and of large zooplankton species, while small zooplankton species and burrower macroinvertebrates were indirectly advantaged by fish presence. Due to the existence of a compensation between rotifers and crustaceans, fish presence does not affect total zooplankton biomass and diversity even if fish are a factor of ecological exclusion for large crustaceans. These compensatory mechanisms are a key process surrounding the impact of introduced fish in alpine lakes.     

Reconstruction of human influence during the last two centuries on two small oxbow lakes near Warsaw (Poland)

Short sediment cores from two small oxbow lakes located in the Vistula valley near Warsaw (Poland) were analysed for chemical composition and zooplankton (Cladocera) remains. The results of these analyses were evaluated using ordination techniques and the results were used to reconstruct the history of human impact of the lakes. The cores were dated using the ²¹⁰Pb method. These analyses show that the collected sediments (60 cm- and 67 cm-long-cores) were deposited during the last 150–200 years. Cladocera assemblages were different in the two lakes; however, Bosmina longirostris was dominant among subfossil Cladocera species in both lakes. The presence of this species indicates the high trophic state of the lakes. Changes in Cladocera species composition suggest that a significant increase in the lakes’ trophic levels has occurred since the 1920s. The change could be related to the construction of flood dikes along the river Vistula, the isolation of the studied lakes from the river, changes in land use, or some combination of these factors. The chemical composition of sediments, particularly the increase in phosphorus and sulphur concentrations, confirms that the construction of dikes against flood was the major factor inducing eutrophication of the oxbow lakes. This study shows that the Warsaw small water bodies are especially sensitive to local disturbances caused by human activity, mainly water management, land use changes and agriculture. Guest editors: K. Buczkó, J. Korponai, J. Padisák & S. W. Starratt Palaeolimnological Proxies as Tools of Environmental Reconstruction in Fresh Water