ALGAL DISTRIBUTION IN A SMALL,INTERMITTENT STREAM RECEIVING ACID MINE-DRAINAGE1

Lynx Creek, a small intermittent creek in the Bradshaw Mountains of Arizona, is subjected to drainage from an abandoned copper mine. The mine-drainage decreases the pH of the Creek about three units and greatly increases sulfate and heavy metal concentrations. Chemical recovery of the Creek occurs downstream through precipitation of metal hydroxides and dilution by tributaries. Changes in Creek chemistry are accompanied by changes in algal flora. Above the mine and downstream after substantial recovery, the flora is dominated by Tribonema affine⁴, Achnanthes spp., and Synedra ulna and several zygnematacean species. In the mine seep entering the Creek and in the Creek just below the seep the flora is reduced in species richness and dominated in abundance by Microthamnion kuetzingianum and Eunotia tenella.     

Trophic interactions and benthic animal community structure in the Colorado River, Arizona, U.S.A.

1. Cladophora glomerata is the dominant filamentous green alga in the tailwaters of the Colorado River, U.S.A., below Glen Canyon Dam, but becomes co-dominant with filamentous cyanobacteria, Oscillatoria spp., below the confluence of the Paria River (26km below the dam) where suspended sediments are elevated. 2. Benthic algal assemblages played an important role in the distribution of the amphipod, Gammarus lacustris, in the dam-controlled Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Cladophara and G. lacustris showed a weak positive relationship at ten cobble-riffle habitats in the Colorado River from Lees Ferry (25km below the dam) to Diamond Creek (362km downstream), while no relationship was found between Oscillatoria and G. lacustris. 3. The relationship between algal substrata and G. lacustris was tested by a series of in situ habitat choice experiments. G. lacustris showed a significant preference for Cladophora (with epiphytes) over Oscillatoria spp., detritus and gravel in treatment pans at Lees Ferry. 4. Epiphytic diatoms (i.e. food) were the overriding determinant of subtratum choice by G. lacustris in laboratory experiments. Gammarus chose the Cladophora/epiphytic diatom community over sonicated Cladophora with few diatoms. The amphipods also chose string soaked in diatom extract over string without diatom extract. 5. Importance of mutualistic interactions in aquatic benthic community structure is discussed.     

Comparative analysis of the phytoplankton of fifteen lowland fluvial systems of the River Plate Basin (Argentina)

The phytoplankton of fifteen lowland courses of the River Plate Basin is compared and characterized by means of multivariate analyses.The cluster analysis performed with the more abundant species of each fluvial system reveals three main groups. Rivers with a high discharge and a large floodplain are grouped on the basis of the dominance of several Aulacoseira species. An eutrophic flora typified by Cyclotella meneghiniana, Synedra ulna and several green algae occurs in the smaller rivers with high conductivity, low transparency and important discharge variations. A third group comprises the Uruguay River and its tributaries, characterized by the presence of several pennatae diatoms and flagellates: Amphipleura pellucida, Surirella tenera, Terpsinoe musica, Navicula cuspidata, Eudorina elegans, Pandorina morum and Peridinium gatunense.The Principal Component Analysis based on a data matrix of physical, chemical and hydrological parameters revealed similar results. The ordination according to the first two components reflects the geographic location of these systems in the River Plate Basin, responding to a decreasing gradient of conductivity, pH and solids and an increasing minimum temperature. The rivers were ordinated by means of a Correspondence Analysis based on the main algal groups.     

The composition and abundance of phytoplankton in Lake Bukoni,western Uganda

Lake Bukoni is one of the crater lakes in western Uganda. Investigations into this lake is limited compared to other African lakes. Data on phytoplankton ecology in the lake are lacking. Phytoplankton consists of a community of photosynthetic, microscopic plants adapted to suspension in water. They constitute ‘hidden flora’ which make an important contribution to the primary productivity of a water mass. Some phytoplankton taxa, among them species belonging to Cyanophyta, are known to influence ecological transformations and to cause health hazards in water bodies that are used by humans. From July 2004 to December 2005, phytoplankton was collected from two sites (inshore and offshore) in Lake Bukoni. An inverted microscope, Sedgwick counting chamber and multiple tally denominator were used to quantify the phytoplankton. Phytoplankton was dominated by nonheterocystous cyanoprokaryotes especially Lyllgbya limnetica followed by the diatoms Synedra ulna and Fragillaria mutabilis. The inshore site had more phytoplankton species. Differences in phytoplankton diversity and density were mainly attributed to mixing and presence of macrophytes. The occurrence of large numbers of cyanoprokaryotes poses a potential health hazard to the local people who utilize the water from Lake Bukoni. The dominance of cyanoprokaryotes might result in ecological transformations like loss of biodiversity.     

Seasonal Physical,Chemical and Algal Changes in Five Rivers Flowing Through the Oil Sands Region of Alberta,Canada

Seasonal studies concentrating upon physical and chemical parameters and the epilithic algal community were conducted at specific sites in five tributary rivers flowing through the oil sands region of northeastern Alberta, Canada into the Athabasca River. Numerically cyanophycean algae (Lyngbya aerugineo-caerulea, Phormidium sp., Calothrix braunii, Nostoc spp. and Anabaena affinis) dominated followed by diatoms (Achnanthes lanceolata, Cocconeis pediculus, Cocconeis placentula, Epithemia sorex, Epithemia turgida, Gomphonema acuminatum, Gomphonema longiceps v. subclavata, Gomphonema olivaceum, Nitzschia fonticola, Nitzschia palea, Synedra rumpens, and Synedra ulna). One exception was the Hangingstone River where chlorophycean algae (Stigeoclonium pachydermum and Cladophora glomerata) were next in importance to the cyanophytes. Seasonal fluctuations in algal species and numbers were influenced by a myriad of interacting parameters. Physically disruptive forces (current velocity and discharge) appeared more important than dissolved nutrients. They were also responsible for affecting the chemical composition of the water itself.     

Recreational water quality analyses of the Colorado River corridor in Grand Canyon.

We intensively examined the recreational water quality of the Colorado River and 26 tributaries in Grand Canyon National Park over four consecutive summers. Highly ephemeral precipitation cycles and arid watershed hydrologies were the principal factors influencing water quality. Fecal coliforms (FC) in the river and in most tributaries were less than or equal to 10 FC 100 ml-1 and less than or equal to 20 FC 100 ml-1, respectively, during drought cycles. During rainfall cycles, FC densities were highly variable and often exceeded recreational contact standards. FC were not found to vary significantly in response to diurnal fluctuations in river stage height which resulted from hydroelectric stream flow regulation. River and tributary bottom sediments harbored FC in densities averaging 10 to 100 times those in the overlying waters. Sediment FC densities were not found to be reliable indicators of overlying water quality when storm flow and nonstorm flow periods were compared.     

Post‐Impoundment Biomass and Composition of Phytoplankton in the Yangtze River

Damming, and thus alteration of stream flow, promotes higher phytoplankton populations and encourages algal blooms (density >10⁶ cells L^–1) in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). Phytoplankton composition and biomass were studied in the Yangtze River from March 2004 to May 2005. 107 taxa were identified. Diatoms were the dominant group, followed by Chlorophyta and Cyanobacteria. In the Yangtze River, algal abundance varied from 3.13 × 10³ to 3.83 × 10⁶ cells L^–1, and algal biomass was in the range of 0.06 to 659 mg C m^–3. Levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and silica did not show consistent longitudinal changes along the river and were not correlated with phytoplankton parameters. Phytoplankton abundance was negatively correlated with main channel discharge (Spearman r = –1.000, P < 0.01). Phytoplankton abundance and biomass in the Yangtze River are mainly determined by the hydrological conditions rather than by nutrient concentrations. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

海珠国家湿地公园浮游植物群落结构时空变化

浮游植物是湿地生态系统的重要组成成分,其数量及群落结构变化会对湿地生态系统的结构和功能产生重要影响。为了解海珠国家湿地公园浮游植物群落结构及时空动态变化特征,于2017年冬、2018年夏两季分别进行了调查。结果表明:海珠国家湿地公园共检到浮游植物171种,隶属7门64属,其中绿藻门、硅藻门和蓝藻门种类分别占总种类的44%、26%和13%;广州平裂藻(Merismopedia cantonensis)和细小平裂藻(Merismopedia minima)在两季均为优势种,冬季啮蚀隐藻(Cryptomonas erosa)也较多;浮游植物群落结构、丰度与生物多样性指数具有明显季节变化,冬季硅藻和绿藻占优,分别占藻类总丰度的32%和29%;夏季蓝藻占绝对优势,占68%;夏季浮游植物平均丰度达(25.58±18.47)×10^6cells·L^-1,约为冬季的3倍;Shannon物种多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数冬季分别为4.38和0.77,夏季分别为2.92和0.51;从空间上看,海珠湖浮游植物种类、多样性指数均较低,而丰度较高;塘涌和西江涌硅藻丰度最大,其他位点均以蓝藻占优;水体总氮和温度是影响浮游植物群落结构变化的重要因素。本研究可为海珠国家湿地公园的管理和保护提供参考。     

Disentangling the roles of spatial and environmental variables in shaping benthic algal assemblages in rivers of central and northern China

Benthic algae were collected from central and northern Chinese rivers to test the hypothesis that geographic location has significant contributions in shaping algal assemblages. We used Moran’s eigenvector maps (MEM) to model spatial components and variation partitioning to quantify the influences of spatial and environmental variables on regional patterns of algal richness and community composition, respectively. We found that variation in algal richness was attributed to MEM component 2, 8, and 9 and the quadratic term of N–NO₃. Regarding abundance data, latitude, longitude, and MEM component 1, 2, and 7 were important spatial variables. Although P–PO₄, pH, and annual mean temperature were significant environmental variables influencing algal community composition, they were all spatially structured. Among the total explained variance in both algal metrics, spatial proportions were higher than that of environmental variables. We also found that abundant species of Achnanthidium minutissimum, Cocconeis placentula, Cymbella delicatula, Cymbella affinis, Cymbella turgidula, and Synedra ulna displayed clear spatially related patterns. In conclusion, the contributions of spatial and environmental variables to regional variation of algal assemblages are scale-dependent. As for our study scale (~1,000 km), spatial control may be more important. Since spatial effects could obscure local environmental impacts on algal communities, appropriate study scale and statistical methods should be taken into account in algal bioassessment. We recommend inclusion of both algal richness and community composition in study of algal biogeography, due to their different relationships with spatial and environmental variables.     

Importance of algae in the diet of the oligochaetes Lumbriculus variegatus (MÜller) and Rhyacodrilus sodalis (Eisen)

Summary The importance of algae in the diet of the oligochaetes Lumbriculus variegatus and Rhyacodrilus sodalis was determined from cellections made in a eutrophic bay from April 1977 to April 1978. During the summer, algae represented 70–85% of the gut contents of both species. The most frequently ingested algae were Cymatopleura elliptica, Cymbella spp., Epithemia turgida, Pinnularia spp., and Synedra ulna. Almost all species were consumed in proportion to their abundance in the environment. However, Nostoc pruniforme and Nostoc verrucosum were not eaten due to size selection. The high level of algal consumption exhibited by the oligochaetes was primarily related to the large standing crop of algae on the sediments. During the winter, when algal densities were low in the environment, detritus and associated bacteria were the major food source.     

The ecological effect of acid conditions and precipitation of hydrous metal oxides in a Rocky Mountain stream

Periphyton and benthic invertebrates assemblages were studied at the confluence of two Rocky Mountain streams, Deer Creek and the Snake River near Montezuma, Colorado. Upstream from the confluence the Snake River is acidic and enriched in dissolved trace metals, while Deer Creek is a typical Rocky Mountain stream. In the Snake River, downstream from the confluence, the pH increases and hydrous metal oxides precipitate and cover the streambed. The algal and benthic invertebrate communities in the upstream reaches of the Snake River and in Deer Creek were very different. A liverwort, Scapania undulata var. undulata, was abundant in the Snake River, and although periphyton were very sparse, there were as many benthic invertebrates as in Deer Creek. Downstream from the confleunce, the precipitation of hydrous metal oxides greatly decreased the abundance of periphyton and benthic invertebrates. This study shows that in streams metal precipitates covering the streambed may have a more deleterious effect on stream communities than high metal-ion activities.     

Spawning ecology of flannelmouth sucker, Catostomus lattipinnis (Catostomidae), in two small tributaries of the lower Colorado River

We report the first published accounts of spawning behavior and spawning site selection of the flannelmouth sucker in two small tributaries of the lower Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona. Spawning was observed on 20 March 1992 and from 28 March to 10 April 1993 in the Paria River, and from 16 to 19 March 1993 in Bright Angel Creek. Flannelmouth suckers exhibited promiscuous spawning behavior–individual females were typically paired with two or more males for a given event and sometimes changed partners between events. Multiple egg deposits by different females sometimes occurred at one spawning site. Flannelmouth sucker selected substrates from 16 to 32 mm diameter in both streams. Spawning occurred at depths of 10 to 25 cm in the Paria River and 19 to 41 cm in Bright Angel Creek. Mean column water velocities at spawning locations ranged from 0.15 to 1.0 m sec^-1 in the Paria River and from 0.23 to 0.89 m sec^-1 in Bright Angel Creek. Water temperatures recorded during spawning ranged from 9 to 18° C in the Paria River and 13 to 15° C in Bright Angel Creek. Spawning flannelmouth sucker ascended 9.8 km upstream in the Paria River and 1.25 km in Bright Angel Creek. Spawning females (410–580 mm) were significantly larger than spawning males (385–530 mm) in the Paria River. The mean size of spawning fish in the Paria River was significantly smaller than the entire stock, averaged throughout the study period (380–620 mm). However, fish spawning in 1992–1993 averaged 53 mm larger than fish spawning in the same reach of the Paria River in 1981, indicating a shift in the size structure of this stock.     

Can bacteria outcompete phytoplankton for phosphorus? a chemostat test

Although the bacterioplankton of lakes are usually considered primarily in terms of mineralization processes, recent studies suggest that they may also strongly compete for phosphorus with the phytoplankton. In the present study, we have tested in chemostat culture, and found support for the hypotheses that (1) a freshwater bacterium (Pseudomonas paucimobilis), whose carbon source is excretion from a phosphorus-limited alga (Synedra ulna var.danica), can outcompete that alga for phosphorus (P) under widely varied P supply rates; (2) exogenously-supplied organic carbon positively influences bacterial biomass and negatively influences algal biomass; (3) the ratio of bacterial to algal phosphorus uptake in short-term³²P orthophosphate uptake experiments is an accurate predictor of their relative long-term phosphorus assimilation (i.e., growth) in mixed culture.     

Seasonality in river phytoplankton: multivariate analyses of data from the Ohio River and six Kentucky tributaries

Two years of physical/chemical and algal abundance data obtained from national Stream-Quality Accounting Network records of 10 river sites in Kentucky USA (4 Ohio River sites and 6 Ohio River tributaries) were analyzed to determine how seasonal changes in river phytoplankton related to changes in physical and chemical parameters. Phytoplankton assemblages differed among rivers as a function of drainage basin characteristics, but exhibited common seasonal changes related to temporal variation in the physical/chemical environment. Distinct shifts in algal dominance were identified between spring (March, April), late summer (July, August, September), and transitional (May, June, November) periods in the 10 systems. Nine common algal genera were found to differ in their response to changes in physical or chemical parameters. Abundances of Anacystis, Oscillatoria, Scenedesmus, and Melosira were strongly positively correlated with temperature while Chlamydomonas and Navicula abundances were inversely related to temperature. Other physical/chemical factors that were significantly positively ( + ) or negatively ( - ) correlated with algal abundances included discharge and alkalinity (Oscillatoria, +), pH CChlamydomonas and Cyclotella, (both + ), turbidity (Anacystis, \s- ; Navicula + ), silica (Cyclotella, - ), and ammonium/organic N (Anacystis, -). Genera within the same algal division exhibited different seasonal patterns and responded to different physical/chemical parameters.     

Stream hierarchy defines riverscape genetics of a North American desert fish

Global climate change is apparent within the Arctic and the south‐western deserts of North America, with record drought in the latter reflected within 640 000 km² of the Colorado River Basin. To discern the manner by which natural and anthropogenic drivers have compressed Basin‐wide fish biodiversity, and to establish a baseline for future climate effects, the Stream Hierarchy Model (SHM) was employed to juxtapose fluvial topography against molecular diversities of 1092 Bluehead Sucker (Catostomus discobolus). MtDNA revealed three geomorphically defined evolutionarily significant units (ESUs): Bonneville Basin, upper Little Colorado River and the remaining Colorado River Basin. Microsatellite analyses (16 loci) reinforced distinctiveness of the Bonneville Basin and upper Little Colorado River, but subdivided the Colorado River Basin into seven management units (MUs). One represents a cline of three admixed gene pools comprising the mainstem and its lower‐gradient tributaries. Six others are not only distinct genetically but also demographically (i.e. migrants/generation <9.7%). Two of these (i.e. Grand Canyon and Canyon de Chelly) are defined by geomorphology, two others (i.e. Fremont‐Muddy and San Raphael rivers) are isolated by sharp declivities as they drop precipitously from the west slope into the mainstem Colorado/Green rivers, another represents an isolated impoundment (i.e. Ringdahl Reservoir), while the last corresponds to a recognized subspecies (i.e. Zuni River, NM). Historical legacies of endemic fishes (ESUs) and their evolutionary potential (MUs) are clearly represented in our data, yet their arbiter will be the unrelenting natural and anthropogenic water depletions that will precipitate yet another conservation conflict within this unique but arid region.     

Euphorbia aaron-rossii (Euphorbiaceae), a new species from Marble and Grand Canyons of the Colorado River,Arizona

The new species,Euphorbia aaron-rossii from along the Colorado River within the inner gorge of Marble Canyon and Grand Canyon, Coconino Co., Arizona, is described, mapped, and illustrated. Scanning electron micrographs of the seed coat are included. It clearly belongs to subgenusAgaloma sectionTithymalopsis, where it is most closely related toE. wrightii.     

Role of sediment and internal loading of phosphorus in shallow lakes

Current velocity is a pervasive feature of lotic systems, yet this defining environmental variable is rarely examined as a factor for regulating stream herbivory. To investigate how current modifies herbivory in the upper Colorado River, U.S.A., loops of electrified fencing wire were used to reduce in situ grazer densities on 30 × 30 cm tile substrates. After 45 d, electrified tiles had significantly fewer grazers (P = 0.03) and >2X more algal biomass than controls (P = 0.0002). Reduced grazing on electrified tiles yielded periphytic assemblages having more diatoms and chlorophytes, as well as greater algal species richness. Current velocity effects alone did not significantly regulate algal abundance; however, the interaction between current velocity and grazer exclusion resulted in more algae in slow vs. fast current (P = 0.02). Grazer abundances were similar between fast and slow current velocities, suggesting that grazers in the Colorado River differ in their ability to regulate algae across the current velocity gradient. Our results indicate that stream current-mediated herbivory in streams may be more important than is generally recognized.     

Studio Sul Ciclo Annuale del Fitoplancton del Lago di Piediluco (Umbria)

Abstract

Researches about the cycle of the phytoplankton in the lake of Piediluco (Umbria). — The Authors studied the phytoplanktonic productivity within an year (1960–1961) in the lake of Piediluco (Central Italy); they have tried also to bring into evidence eventual changes in the phytocoenosis of the lake, basing themselves on some phytoplanktonic analysis made by Pasquini (1924) and by Marchesoni (1940) on samples collected before that Nera River was put in the lake for hydroelectric purpose.

The lake of Piediluco, which is a relict of the ancient Pleistocenic lake (Velino lake), is prevàilingly alluvial in origin and it is the second lake of Umbria in extension, after Trasimeno lake, having a surface of Kmq. 1,52. It is situated in the plain of Rieti at 368 m. level s. l. m. and it is 19 m. deep (Fig. 1).

In 1932 this lake was exploited to have hydroelectric energy and the « Società Elettrica Terni » built the Stoney dike along Velino River and digged also a canal connecting the lake with the river; another derivation canal, which puts Nera River into the lake of Piediluco, was also digged.

Every month, from October 1960 to October 1961 in the eulimnic zone of the lake were collected qualitative (surface and vertical) and quantitative samples (at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 19 m.) and some environmental factors as: temperature, contents in oxygen, in organic matter, in N-NH₄, in N-NO₃ and in P-PO₄ were studied.

After the putting of Nera River in the lake, the thermic regime changed: in summer there was a sinking and in winter a rise in temperature.

As we can see (Table I), the lake is of a tropical type and in winter it is in homothermal conditions; in summer there is a thermal stratification, which is of brief duration. The thermocline is evident only in June and July (Fig. 2).

The Table II, in which the quantities of oxygen dissolved in the water are reported, puts in evidence that the lake of Piediluco has an holomictic regime.

After the period of June, July and August, in which the oxygen contents of the deep waters is very low, there is in the late autumn the turnover which produces a complete mixing of superficial and deep waters (Fig. 3).

During the most part of the year phenomena of hypersaturation in O₂ take place in the surface (Table III): the highest amounts are reached in May, June, July and August. The highest percentage in O₂ is reached during the most part of the year in the surface waters (Fig. 4).

This high concentration is simply biologic in origin: it is due to the photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton which has numerically increased in this period.

Tables IV, V, VI and VII show the seasonal variations of the dissolved organic matter, of N-NH₄, of N-NO₃ and P-PO₄; they show also that the nutritive substances (mainly N-NO₃ and P-PO₄ which affect the productivity of the lake of Piediluco, undergo an annual cycle: a phase of consumption on the part of the algal flora living in the surface during spring and summer; a phase of production at the bottom during the summer-autumnal stratification and a winter phase of redistribution of these bottom reserves to all the mass of water owing to the late-autumnal turnover.

The qualitative (Table VIII and Table IX) and quantitative (Table 10/A and 10/B) analysis show an absolute prevalence of Diatoms during all the period in which the planktonic hauls have been carried out.

On a quantitative point of view they have a very large majority with regard to the other classes: Diatoms by themselves reaches 98%.

The Algae which tipically characterize the lake of Piediluco are: Cyclotella kuetzingiana, C. melosiroides, Fragilaria crotonensis, Synedra ulna, S. danica, S. acus, Asterionella formosa; these are followed by: Peridinium inconspicuum, P. cinctum, Dinobryon divergens, Rhizochrysis limnetica, Gloeococcus schroeteri and Closterium aciculare.

The prevalence of Diatoms during all the year is due not to one species, but to three species which characterize our lake (Table XI): in January and February there is a facies with Asterionella formosa, in April a facies with Synedra ulna and with Asterionella formosa, Cyclotella kuetzingiana, Synedra danica and Fragilaria crotonensis; in May and June a facies with Cyclotella kuetzingiana with Cyclotella melosiroides and Synedra ulna, while in August we have again a facies with Synedra ulna, and with Synedra acus and Cyclotella kuetzingiana. September and October are characterized by Synedra ulna, even though in a smaller amount.

The analysis of two qualitative hauls of surface carried out in the zone with a vegetation mainly constituted by Arundo phragmites (Table XII) put in evidence that the littoral vegetation affects the phytoplanktonic composition because it is on a qualitative point of view more rich of algal species than the eulimnic zone.

Before that Nera River was put in the lake, the phytoplankton of this lake was characterized by Peridinium cinctum and Ceratium hirundinella; now these species reduced themselves very much.

The Authors, in order to explain this modification in the algological composition, attach importance to the changing of the thermic conditions and perhaps to the increased turbulence of waters caused by the putting in of Nera River (on an average 16–17 mc/sec.).

Valuing the degree of trophism of the lake of Piediluco with the Diatom quozient (Nygaard et al.) and the Compound index (Nygaard, 1949), the lake must be considered eutrophic, but if we consider some environmental factors and the presence of some Algae, we conclude that the lake has a character tending to eutrophy.     

A Compositional and Structural Analysis of Phytoplankton in Lake Khurpatal, (U.P.), India

The phytoplankton community in Lake Khurpatal (Kumaun Himalya), India, was analyzed in relation to physico-chemical variables. Phytoplankton biomass ranged from 2.7 to 20.0 g m⁻³ in the euphotic zone of the lake. Dinoflagellates monopolized the algal community with a mean annual contribution of 94.5 % to the total phytoplankton biomass. The community coefficient used to quantify the seasonal changes in algal population reflected the fact that successional episodes were not very significant, the percentage similarity among the consecutive algal samples ranging from 47.8 to 89.9 %. The phytoplankton community was characterized by low species richness, low equitability and species diversity. Various ecological characteristics of the community are discussed and the phytoplankton biomass is also compared with that of some tropical and temperate lakes.     

Parasites of fishes in the Colorado River and selected tributaries in Grand Canyon, Arizona

As part of the endangered humpback chub (HBC; Gila cypha ) Adaptive Management Program, a parasite survey was conducted from 28 June to 17 July 2006 in 8 tributaries and 7 adjacent sections of the main stem of the Colorado River, U.S.A. In total, 717 fish were caught, including 24 HBC. Field necropsies yielded 19 parasite species, 5 of which (Achtheres sp., Kathlaniidae gen. sp., Caryophyllaidae gen. sp., Myxidium sp., and Octomacrum sp.) are new records for Grand Canyon, Arizona, U.S.A. Spearman's correlation coefficient analyses showed no correlations between parasite burden and fork length for various combinations of fish and parasite species. Regression analyses suggest that no parasite species had a strong effect on fish length. The most diverse parasite community (n = 14) was at river kilometer (Rkm) 230, near the confluence of Kanab Creek. The most diverse parasite infracommunity (n = 12) was found in the non-native channel catfish (CCF; Ictaluris punctatus). Overall parasite prevalence was highest in CCF (85%) followed by that in HBC (58%). The parasite fauna of humpback chub was mainly composed of Bothriocephalus acheilognathi and Ornithodiplostomum sp. metacercariae.