Rotifers as indicators of lake types in Estonia

Data on the pelagic rotifer fauna in 10 Estonian lakes accumulated for 20 years, as well as published data are analysed. It is possible to distinguish three main indicator groups among rotifers: (1) for oligo- and mesotrophic lakes (Ploesoma hudsoni, Keratella serrulata, Synchaeta grandis, Asplanchna herricki, Ascomorpha ovalis, Gastropus stylifer, Conochilus hippocrepsis); (2) for meso-and eutrophic lakes (Trichocerca capucina, Filinia longiseta, F. limnetica, Keratella quadrata, K. cochlearis tecta, K.c. hispida, Polyarthra euryptera, Keratella hiemalis, Trichocerca porcellus, T. pusilla); (3) for eutrophic lakes (Brachionus spp., Anuraeopsis fissa, Pompholyx sulcata, P. complanata, Trichocerca cylindrica, Hexarthra mira).     

Pelagic rotifers of Lake Glubokoe from 1897 to 1984

After alteration in the pattern of drainage of run-off from the surrounding swamps and changes in the colour and transparency of the Lake Glubokoe water, the previously epilimnial Trichocerca similis, Conochilus unicornis and Keratella cochlearis showed a shift of their maximum numbers to deeper layers. Pompholyx sp. and Trichocerca capucina, which are regarded as indicators of eutrophic waters, have disappeared from the pelagic zone of the lake and Conochilus hippocrepis, Synchaeta pectinata, Gastropus stylifer, Asplanchna herricki, Ascomorpha ecaudis, Ascomorpha saltans, Euchlanis dilatata and Trichocerca porcellus have made their appearance. Most of the new species are considered to be indicators of oligotrophic conditions. However the total density of pelagic rotifers remained at the same level. Apparently the establishment of the new species of rotifers was possible due to some ‘rarefaction’ of the epilimnion, the disappearance of predaceous Mesocyclops leuckarti and the invasion of the pelagic zone by Peridinium cinctum.     

Temporal and Spatial Distributions of Rotifers in Xiangxi Bay of the Three Gorges Reservoir,China

From July 2003 to June 2005, investigations of rotifer temporal and spatial distributions were car‐ried out in a bay of the Three Gorges Reservoir, Xiangxi Bay, which is the downstream segment of the Xiangxi River and the nearest bay to the Three Gorges Reservoir dam in Hubei Province, China. Thirteen sampling sites were selected. The results revealed a high species diversity, with 76 species, and 14 dominant species; i.e., Polyarthra vulgaris, Keratella cochlearis, Keratella valga, Synchaeta tremula, Synchaeta stylata, Trichocerca lophoessa, Trichocerca pusilla, Brachionus angularis, Brachionus calyciflorus, Brachionus forficula forficula, Ascomorpha ovalis, Conochilus unicornis, Ploesoma truncatum and Anuraeopsis fissa. After the first year of the reservoir impoundment, the rotifer community was dominated by ten species; one year later it was dominated by eight species. The community in 2003/2004 was dissimilar to that in 2004/2005, which resulted from the succes‐sion of the dominant species. The rotifer community exhibited a patchy distribution, with significant heterogeneity observed along the longitudinal axis. All rotifer communities could be divided into three groups, corresponding to the riverine, the transition and the lacustrine zone, respectively. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Occurrence of Rotifera in the field under natural and intentionally-changed conditions

A comparison of population dynamics of rotifers under natural conditions with those under intentionally-changed ones was carried out at one Lake and five outdoor pools. In Lake Numasawa, dominant rotifers under natural conditions for the past two years were Polyarthra trigla vulgaris, Kellicottia longispina, Ploesoma truncatum, Asplanchna priodonta and Filinia longiseta. Keratella hiemalis, K. cochlearis, K. valga tropica, Brachionus caudatus and Ascomorpha saltans appeared sporadically. Three months after the start of circulation of part of the lake water by a water power plant no remarkable changes were observed as far as the seasonal and vertical distribution of dominant rotifers are concerned. In five pools with different kinds and ratios of covering by such macrophytes as Eichornia and Lemna or reed screen, three types of rotifer communities were found. Type I: Liliferotrocha sp., Brachionus calyciflorus, (B. budapestinensis), B. angularis, K. valga tropica, etc., in which both densities and frequencies were generally reduced in proportion to the ratio of covering either with macrophytes or reed screens. Type II: Filinia longiseta, Polyarthra trigla vulgaris, Asplanchnella sieboldi, etc. in which densities and frequencies were increased by covering either with macrophytes or reed screens. Type III: Trichocerca pusilla, B. quadridentatus, B. leydigi rotundus, Scaridium longicaudum, Euchlanis dilatata, Dicranophorus sp., etc, in which no precise correlation was found between occurrences of the Rotifers and ratio of covering.     

Seasonal Cycles of Zooplankton and Related Phytoplankton Development in Three Shallow,Mesotrophic Lakes in Northern Canada

The primary goal of this study was to assess the importance of food in regulating densities of zooplankton in 3 northern Canadian lakes, where algal availability was low compared to temperate zone water bodies. Collections were made every 2 weeks during the summer and monthly during the winter from April 1978 to April 1979. Since the lakes were similar in most respects, including nannoplankton density, net phytoplankton density, temperature, depth, oxygen concentration and phosphorus levels, the seasonal cycles of the main species (Keratella cochlearis, Kellicottia longispina, Polyarthra remata, Polyarthra vulgaris, Cyclops spp., Diaptomus spp.) were generally similar throughout the study area. Changes in the densities of herbivorous species were poorly correlated with fluctuations in nannoplankton and net plankton availability, implying that food did not limit development. Although predatory copepods, particularly Cyclops spp., were abundant, they also had no measurable impact on the main species. It was therefore concluded that temperature controlled the seasonal cycles and the ultimate population size of most zooplankters.     

上海市中心城区河道浮游动物群落结构的周年变化

于2007年11月—2008年10月,对上海市中心城区的午潮港、横港、朝阳河、曹杨环浜等4条河道中浮游动物的群落结构及其相关水环境指标进行了调查。共鉴定浮游动物63种,其中轮虫44种(69%),枝角类13种(21%),桡足类6种(10%),优势种主要为转轮虫(Rotaria rotatoria)、长足轮虫(R.neptunia)、萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)、螺形龟甲轮虫(Keratella cochlearis)、前节晶囊轮虫(Asplanchna priodonta)、长肢多肢轮虫(Pol-yarthra dolichoptera)、大型溞(Daphnia magna)、发头裸腹溞(Moina irrasa)和广布中剑水蚤(Microcyclops leuckarti)。4条河道浮游动物的平均密度变动范围为726～2571ind.L-1;平均生物量为12.04～44.27mg·L-1。相关分析结果显示,浮游动物种群密度、生物量与溶解氧呈显著正相关(P<0.05),水体中的磷酸盐、硝酸盐氮和亚硝酸盐氮对浮游动物的群落结构有一定的影响。对河道中浮游动物群落结构的周年变化进行分...     

Community structure and bottom-up regulation of heterotrophic microplankton in arctic LTER lakes

Microplankton community structures and abundance was assessed in lakes at the Toolik Lake LTER site in northern Alaska during the summers of 1989 and 1990. The microplankton community included oligotrich ciliates, but rotifers and zooplankton nauplii comprised greater than 90% of total estimated heterotrophic microplankton biomass. Dominant rotifer taxa included Keratella cochlearis, Kellicottia longispina, Polyarthra vulgaris, Conochilus unicornis and a Synchaeta sp. Microplankton biomass was lowest in highly oligotrophic Toolik Lake (< 5 μgCl⁻¹ at the surface) and highest (up to 55 μCl⁻¹) in the most eutrophic lakes, experimentally fertilized lakes, and fertilized limnocorrals, consistent with bottom-up regulation of microplankton abundance.     

Variation of density, species composition and dominance of rotifers at a shallow tropical reservoir (Broa reservoir, SP, Brazil) in a short scale time

Rotifers are the predominant group of zooplankton found in the majority of reservoirs, constituting more than 60% of the total zooplankton present. Being opportunistic organisms, they easily adapt to changes in environmental conditions, and it is therefore difficult to establish a constant level of composition and occurrence of a species in specific areas at specific times. In order to establish how changes in composition and predominance of a species occurs within a dynamic system, the daily variation in the total density of rotifers and that of the dominant species were studied at short intervals during a period of 20 days at Lobo (Broa) reservoir. Filinia pejleri and Keratella americana were the predominant species, making up 64.3% of the total rotifers. However, during the first five days of the study, there was a predominance of two genera, Conochilus (C. coenobasis and C. unicornis) and Keratella (K. americana and K. cochlearis), with the genus Conochilus being substituted by the genus Filinia from the seventh day onwards, which, together with the genus Keratella, was predominant until the end of the study period. The increase in density of Filinia pejleri and Keratella americana was found to be associated with increased wind speed. The resulting turbulence could cause changes in the behavior and metabolism of the organisms, increasing the rate of reproduction, which in turn could be attributed to the greater availability of food through the suspension of material from the lake bed.     

A simplified method for preparing rotifer trophi for scanning electron microscopy

A simple, quick technique for the preparation of rotifer trophi for scanning electron microscopy is described. The method permits visual monitoring of the extraction process and does not require critical point drying of the specimens. Micrographs showing fine, structural detail of the hard parts of the mastax of representatives of the following genera are presented:Asplanchna, Conochilus, Filinia, Hexarthra, Keratella, Proalides, Synchaeta, andTrichocerca.     

Notes taxinomiques sur quelques Rotifères planctoniques

Résumé Les caractères spécifiques des différentes espèces appartenant aux genres Keratella, Polyarthra, Synchaeta, Filinia, Conochiloides, Conochilus sont discutés en fonction des observations effectuées par l'auteur dans les collections d'eau de la région parisienne.

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Summary The specific characters of the different species from the genus Keratella, Polyarthra, Synchaeta, Filinia, Conochiloides, Conochilus are discussed according to the observations made by the author in the water collections of the parisian region.

     

Fish impact on rotifer community structure

Larger species, e.g. Asplanchna priodonta and Conochilus unicornis, and grasping species, e.g. Gastropus stylifer and Ascomorpha spp., became more abundant, while smaller filter feeders, e.g. Keratella cochlearis, decreased after an experimental reduction of the fish population. This development is probably caused by changes in basic regulating factors. The change to invertebrate predator dominance may affect smaller species (e.g. Keratella cochlearis) more than others, the increase of net phytoplankton (e.g. peridineans) will favour grasping species, and the change in seasonal occurrence of certain crucial food species may affect the competitive balance between certain rotifers (e.g. Polyarthra spp.).     

Environmental variables affecting small-scale distributions of five rotifer species in Lancaster Lake,Michigan

The small-scale distributions of the rotifers Polyarthra vulgaris, Synchaeta stylata, Conochilus unicornis, Hexarthra mira, and Asplanchna priodonta were investigated in Lancaster Lake, Cheboygan County, Michigan, July 21, 1974. Measurements were taken for 13 depths (at 1-m intervals) and at 4 times of the day (1:00 AM, 7:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 7:00 PM). In addition, the abundances of 6 crustacean, 2 planktonic dipteran, and 10 algal species, as well as temperature, light, oxygen, chlorophyll a, alkalinity, pH and free carbon dioxide were measured. Whereas abiotic factors appeared to control large scale occupation of the lake, and excluded most species from the deeper portions of the hypolimnion, small-scale distributional variation of the rotifers depended upon biotic interactions, particularly with the crustacean zooplankton.     

The life cycle dynamics and production of zooplankton in Øvre Heimdalsvatn

The zooplankton in Øvre Heimdalsvatn was studied from May 1969 to Aug 1973 in order to obtain knowledge about their functioning and role in the lake ecosystem. The paper concentrates on the main species: Holopedium gibberum, Bosmina longispina, Cyclops scutifer. Heterocope saliens, Conochilus unicornis, Polyarthra vulgaris and Kellicottia longispina but Megacyclops gigus, Daphnia longispina and ciliated cells are also considered. The development of the populations was fairly synchronized and made it possible to determine life cycles, development times, growth, reproduction and production from field data. The total production of the multicellular zooplankton was 2–3 mg dry wt m⁻² yr⁻¹. The cladocerans dominated and their share of the total was 84–92% compared to the copepods 5–8% and the rotifers 3–8%. The ciliate production was not estimated, but their biomass exceeded that of the copepods and rotifers. The spring spate, June temperatures, food availability and invertebrate predation were found to be the most important regulatory factors for life cycle dynamics and production. Allochthonous organic matter was found to be a necessary food resource in addition to algae.     

Changes in the population dynamics of Keratella cochlearis (Gosse), Kellicottia longispina (Gosse) and Polyarthra vulgaris Carlin in a fertilized enclosure

The population dynamics of phytoplankton and zooplankton in a fertilized enclosure were studied from April 1977 to June 1978. During the first spring period, the rotifers Keratella cochlearis, Kellicottia longispina, and Polyarthra vulgaris were scarce. During the following spring, all three species were abundant. An attempt is made to explain these differences. Food resource competition from cladocerans, and the low food quality and possible inhibitory effects of Coccomyxa sp. were found to be the most likely factors limiting the growth of these rotifers during the first spring period.     

Seasonal development of planktonic rotifers in Slapy Reservoir (Czech Republic)

The rotifer community of the canyon shaped Slapy Reservoir was studied over four years, from 2000 to 2003. A total of 38 rotifer taxa were identified in the pelagial zone. The dominant species, Keratella cochlearis, K. quadrata, Polyarthra dolichoptera, P. vulgaris, Synchaeta lakowitziana and Pompholyx sulcata, were similar to other reservoirs in the same area. Tychoplanktic species, which are typical for communities of upstream reservoirs, are reduced in the Slapy Reservoir. The seasonal fluctuation of rotifer abundance is characterized by a significant spring peak, clear water depression, summer peak and sometimes a lower peak in autumn. Fluctuation of the rotifer species shows a highly unified trend through the years with very low variation through the years. It results from the input of hypolimnetic water from an upstream reservoir, which erased a large part of the effect of year to year climatic fluctuations.     

Dominant rotifers of Võrtsjärv (Estonia)

Rotifers form 71% of the zooplankton of the strongly eutrophic (total N 2 g m^–3, total P 53 mg m^–3) Võrtsjärv (Estonia). Altogether 150 taxa of rotifers occur. Species characteristic of oligo- and mesotrophic waters have totally disappeared during the last 30 years, or are disappearing now. Species whose numbers and biomass reached 20% or more of total zooplankton were considered dominants. These were Anuraeopsis fissa, Keratella cochlearis, K. quadrata frenzeli, Polyarthra dolichoptera, P. luminosa, Synchaeta verrucosa and Trichocerca rousseleti. The contribution of dominant rotifers to total zooplankton and its biomass is as follows: S. verrucosa 25% and 39%, P.dolichoptera 34% and 25%, K. cochlearis 25% and 7%, K. quadrata frenzeli 9% and 7%, A. fissa 28% and 0.4%, T. rousseleti 20% and 0.6%, respectively.     

Prey selectivities of threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and phantom midge larvae (Chaoborus spp.) in Newfoundland lakes

SUMMARY. 1. Threespine stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus ) and Chaoborus ( C. punctipennis and C. trivittatus ) planktivore populations were sampled from several oligotrophic lakes on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland, Canada. Pelagic zooplankton communities in these lakes consist of Daphnia catawba, Holopedium gibberum, Eubosmina longispina, Leptodiaptorma minutus, Epischura nordenskioldi, Cyclops scutifer and rotifers ( Conochilus unicornis, Keratella and Kellicottia spp.).
2. Comparison of gut contents of G. aculeatus and crop contents of later instar Chaoborus larvae with lake zooplankton communities indicated that the vertebrate and invertebrate plank tivores show contrasting species and size selectivities in their choice of zooplankton prey. Prey selectivities were quantified by means of the selectivity index α.
3. G. aculeatus showed positive selectivity for larger zooplankton (greater than 0.76 mm in length), typically the cladoceran D. catawba , while Chaoborus larvae showed positive selectivity for smaller zooplankton (less than 0.50 mm in length), typically the cladoceran E. longispina . While rotifers never featured in the diet of the sticklebacks, these zooplankters were a common component of the chaoborid diet. H. gibberum , with its gelatinous sheath, was rarely found in the gut contents of G. aculeatus and was never found in the crop contents of Chaoborus larvae.
4. Selective predation by these planklivores in the relatively shallow and well-mixed oligotrophic Avalon lakes may influence species composition and size structure of the pelagic zooplankton communities.     

Spine development in the rotifer Keratella cochlearis: induction by cyclopoid copepods and Asplanchna

SUMMARY. 1. Spine development in a clone of unspined Keratella cochlearis was promoted by a water soluble factor released by the copepods Tropocyclops prasinus and Mesocyclops edax and by the predatory rotifer Asplanchna priodonta. Between 9 and 55% of K. cochlearis populations cultured in predator-conditioned media responded to the inducing chemical.
2. The K. cochlearis form possessing a posterior spine of medium length was much less susceptible to predation by small Tropocylops and Asplanchna than the form lacking the posterior spine. These predators consistently selected the unspined form over the spined form when offered equal densities of each. However, both spined and unspined forms were equally susceptible to predation by large Mesocyclops.
3. The phenotypic variation of offspring produced from induced unspined Keratella females encompassed much of the variation reported for the taxon in North America. These morphotypes are similar to the variation of forms reported for the K. cochlearis tecta series known from Europe. We suggest that the North American morphotypes be identified in studies of this species because the presence of the posterior spine can greatly affect predator selectivity.     

滆湖轮虫群落结构与水质生态学评价

研究了浅水湖泊--滆湖的轮虫群落结构,并用轮虫污染指示种类、E/O值、QB/T值和生物多样性指数评价滆湖的水质和营养状况.在两周年的研究中,共发现轮虫69种,污染指示轮虫39种.优势种为萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionua calyciflorus)、前节晶囊轮虫(Asplanchna priodonta)、针簇多肢轮虫(Polyarthra trigla)、长三肢轮虫(Filinia longiseta)和裂足臂尾轮虫(B.diversicornis).轮虫密度年平均值为1584 ind./L,生物量年平均值为5.982 1 mg/L.密度秋季最高,生物量夏季较高.轮虫物种多样性较低,多样性指数与其密度及生物量正相关.滆湖三个生态功能区轮虫的种类相似;湖区北部与中部的轮虫现存量差异不显著,与南部的差异显著,中部与南部间差异极显著.根据指示生物法、生物指数法和多样性指数法评价滆湖水质及营养类型,涌湖为富营养型.     

In situ clearance rates of planktonic rotifers

The in situ clearance rates of several rotifer species from a small, temperate eutrophic lake were measured using three radioactive tracer cell-types, a bacterium (Aerobacter), a yeast (Rhodoto-rula), and alga (Chlamydomonas). Rates were below 10 µl/anim/h but varied significantly among species. Keratella cochlearis, Kellicottia bostoniensis, and Conochilus dossuarius ingested all three tracer cells but rates varied substantially with tracer cell-type. Polyarthra dolichoptera and P. euryptera ingested only the algal cells. Co-occurring forms of K. cochlearis and species of Polyarthra differed markedly in size and in tracer cell utilization, indicating niche diversification in food resources.