Testing the ecological relevance of Daphnia species designations

1. Molecular approaches have increasingly revealed hidden genetic structure within ecologically important species, leading to the creation of sibling species whose ecological relevance is often unclear. A prime example is Daphnia galeata mendotae, which was split into D. dentifera and D. mendotae based on differences at two allozyme loci. 2. In a set of lake populations in Michigan USA, we test the geographical and temporal consistency of the genetic structure underlying this species split. We also test the morphological relevance of this molecular variation and its ecological significance in lakes. In essence, we ask: does recognition of these new species provide valuable information for plankton ecologists? 3. We found that D. dentifera and D. mendotae represent morphologically and ecologically distinct forms that are distributed among lakes in non‐random fashion, which were remarkably stable over 6 years. Key differences between the species concern their body and head shape, vertical habitat use within lakes and distribution among lakes of different size. We hypothesise that these differences represent specialisation to habitats that differ in risk of invertebrate predation. 4. Reproductive barriers alone are insufficient to explain the pattern of genetic structure; in some lakes complete introgression is apparent. However, parent species and hybrids exhibit a stable co‐existence in many lakes, which suggests that ecological specialisation reinforces divergence within this taxon.     

The catchment and climate regulation of pCO2 in boreal lakes

The regulation of surface water pCO₂ was studied in a set of 33 unproductive boreal lakes of different humic content, situated along a latitudinal gradient (57°N to 64°N) in Sweden. The lakes were sampled four times during one year, and analyzed on a wide variety of water chemistry parameters. With only one exception, all lakes were supersaturated with CO₂ with respect to the atmosphere at all sampling occasions. pCO₂ was closely related to the DOC concentration in lakes, which in turn was mainly regulated by catchment characteristics. This pattern was similar along the latitudinal gradient and at different seasons of the year, indicating that it is valid for a variety of climatic conditions within the boreal forest zone. We suggest that landscape characteristics determine the accumulation and subsequent supply of allochthonous organic matter from boreal catchments to lakes, which in turn results in boreal lakes becoming net sources of atmospheric CO₂.     

Suitability of habitat for spawning lake trout

We provide further insight into the reproductive ecology and spawning requirements of lake trout. New comparative information about substrate characteristics, sediment transport, quality of interstitial water at spawning substrates, and the role of temperature in site selection and time of spawning is given for lakes Simcoe and Manitou (Ontario) and Seneca Lake (New York). Spawning lake trout commonly use stable lag deposits derived from glacial sediments, or relict features such as fans, bars or submerged talus slopes. Artificial breakwaters of broken material may also provide suitable substrates. Optimal particle sizes range from 4 to 10 cm diameter but larger materials to 30 cm are also successfully utilized for spawning. The transport of finer particulates by wind generated water movements may limit the suitability of some substrates and successful spawning sites are usually remote from depositional effects. Successful embryo development is associated with low nutrient conditions, with high dissolved oxygen (>7 mg L^-1) and with low un-ionized ammonia (<12.5 g L^-1) in the interstitial water of spawning substrates. Shallow-water spawning appears to be the common strategy of colonizing lake trout. Some deepwater spawning in the Great Lakes may reflect initial colonization in shallow-water and adaptation to later increases in water level, but some may also reflect unique behavioural and physiological adaptations. Temperature is an important cue, and many wild and hatchery stocks spawn at 8 to 13 °C with latitudinal shifts in the actual time of spawning. These requirements are summarized as a dichotomous key for evaluation of approaches to restoration of lost or damaged lake trout stocks.Presented at the Conference on Rehabilitation of Lake Trout in the Great Lakes: A Critical Assessment (sponsored by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Ann Arbor, Michigan, January 10–14, 1994).     

Limnochemical and phytoplankton studies on Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, Tanzania

This publication reports on the chemical and phytoplankton aspects of a three month biological survey of Nyumba ya Mungu reservoir, Tanzania.
The lake had a total salt concentration of about 8 meq dm^-3 and specific conductivity of 900 μS cm^-1. The main salt in solution was sodium bicarbonate, and when the lake level fell it sometimes formed a crust on the exposed shore. The concentrations of major nutrient ions were probably not limiting to algal growth and good nutrient replenishment was provided by the two inflow rivers.
Nyumba ya Mungu supports a rich phytoplanton dominated by Melosira and blue-green algae. Acetone extractions gave chlorophyll 'a' concentrations ranging from 20–40 mgm^-3 in the vertical profiles, and light and dark bottle experiments indicated a maximum gross photosynthesis of about 800 mg O₂ m^-3h^-1. There was evidence of chemical stratification in the open water and diurnal stratification in the sheltered bays, but discontinuities were short-lived and the Trade Winds ensured regular mixing of the water. The lake appeared to have a higher primary production than the larger Rift Valley lakes and it was considered that this level of production would continue.     

A limnological reconnaissance of Lake Tebenquiche,Salar de Atacama,Chile

A number of expeditions to the area of Salar de Atacama, Chile, 68° 15'W, 20° 30'S, have involved studies of the biological and chemical features of Lake Tebenquiche, situated in the interior of the salar. Chemically, Tebenquiche is hypersaline, with practically anoxic waters dominated by sodium and chloride ions but with high concentrations of sulphate also. The lake is surrounded and invaded by macrophytes, dominated by Scirpus olmeyi and Juncus, which provide organic material for the formation of bacterial mats. The fauna of limnetic crustaceans is almost exclusively of Artemia salina. The most important genera of bacteria are: Marinomonas, Halobacterium, Acinetobacter and the sulphur reductors Vibrio and Bacillus. The Cyanobacteria are represented exclusively by Oscillatoria.     

Effects of liming on the occurrence and abundance of fish populations in acidified Swedish lakes

Test fishing with multimesh gillnets was performed in 103 acidified Swedish lakes before and 2–4 years after liming. In a subset of 39 lakes additional test fishing was carried out 5–9 years after liming. Taking into account the sampling biases due to differences between water temperature and number of nets used on different sampling occasions, an increase of the total CPUE, the number of species caught and recruitment of dominating species was evident after liming. Decreased recruitment was found for perch (Perca fluviatilis) at a pH below 5.2 and for roach (Rutilus rutilus) at a pH below 6.1. During the acidification phase and 2–4 years after liming acid-tolerant perch dominated the lakes, but when a longer time had elapsed after liming species dominance shifted and acid-sensitive planktivorous species increased in CPUE while perch decreased.     

Environmental factors influencing zooplankton species composition of lakes in north-central Ontario,Canada

To assess the relative importance of lake chemistry, morphometry and zoogeography on limnetic zooplankton, we collected zooplankton, water, and morphometric data from 132 headwater Canadian Shield lakes in 6 regions across north-central Ontario. A subset of these lakes (n = 52) were fished with gill nets. We clustered lakes based on their zooplankton species composition (presence/absence). Discriminant analysis was employed to determine how well lake characteristics could predict zooplankton community types. Correct classification of zooplankton communities for three models ranged from 72 to 91%. Lake size, lake location, and buffering capacity were ranked as the most important factors separating lake groups. Fish abundance (CPUE) was not significant in distinguishing between zooplankton communities. Though the range of lake sizes was limited (1–110 ha), larger lakes tended to support more species. Lake location (zoogeography) also influenced species composition patterns. Although Algoma lakes tended to be larger (\-x = 18.0 ha, other lakes \-x = 2.5 ha), they supported relatively depauperate zooplankton communities. Buffering capacity was ranked third in the discriminant analysis models, but pH and alkalinity were not significantly different between lake groups.     

Cost of predation avoidance in young-of-year lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush): growth differential in sub-optimal habitats

Selection of habitat to avoid predation may affect the diet of young-of-year (YOY) lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). YOY lake trout may use inshore habitat to avoid predation; this habitat may be sub-optimal for growth. To test this, YOY lake trout were penned in nearshore and offshore pelagic areas of two arctic lakes. Toolik Lake had a lake trout population, the other lake, S6, did not. YOY lake trout in Toolik Lake lost weight, but those offshore lost less weight. The YOY lake trout in Lake S6 gained weight and those offshore gained more weight. The primary diet item of the YOY lake trout in both lakes during this experiment was the zooplankter Diaptomis probilofensis; it was also one of the most abundant species. However, its density inshore in Lake S6 was similar to inshore and offshore densities in Toolik Lake. The increased availability of alternative zooplankton prey in Lake S6 may account for the growth differential of YOY lake trout in Lake S6 relative to Toolik Lake. Bioenergetic modeling of YOY lake trout suggests that growth similar to that in the offshore of Lake S6 would be necessary for successful recruitment. If the reduced zooplankton availability in Toolik Lake leads to the reduced growth of YOY in the inshore and offshore pelagic areas, then these fish will be more susceptable to winter predation/starvation. For YOY lake trout to survive in Toolik Lake they most likely shift to feeding on benthic prey before the end of their first summer. Dept. of Chemical Engineering     

Macrofaunal community types in ponds and small lakes (Overijssel,The Netherlands)

A survey was carried out at 157 sites, situated in pools and small lakes in the province of Overijssel (The Netherlands), to describe the macro-invertebrate community and their environment. A total of 61 environmental viriables was measured at each sampling site. The main aim was to described a regional ecological typology of ponds and small lakes. Multivariate analysis techniques are appropriate in data analysis for typological purposes. Different multivariate analysis techniques (FLEXCLUS, NODES, DCCA, PCA) were used in combination with ecological information on individual taxa to derive and describe site groups in terms of taxon composition and mean environmental conditions. The resulting site groups were termed cenotypes. Nine cenotypes were distinguished among the ponds and small lakes. The main differences between the cenotypes were related to duration of drought, acidity, morphology and nutrient load. In particular, the four cenotypes within the group of stagnant, pH-neutral ponds/lakes showed an overlap in taxon composition. These cenotypes represent a web-shaped continuum dominated by dimensions (relation of width to depth), nutrient load, and bottom composition (especially mesotrophic peat). The most important anthropogenic processes are acidification, eutrophication, and changes in the original hydrology.