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.).