Spatial and Temporal Diversity Patterns of Planktonic Rotifer Assemblages in Water Bodies of the Floodplain Gemenc (Duna‐Dráva National Park,Hungary)

The Gemenc floodplain of the Danube possesses numerous side arms and backwaters. The aim of my study was to explore connections between hydrological events and diversity patterns of the planktonic rotifer assemblages of these water bodies. During the study period (2002–2008) 75 taxa of rotifers were found. Generally, the water bodies of the floodplain had more diverse rotifer assemblages than the main arm. At low and medium water levels diversity was highest in the parapotamal water bodies. This result may be explained by the intermediate disturbance hypothesis. At high water levels the highest biodiversities shifted to the plesiopotamal. Biodiversity, dominance, and evenness correlated with water flow and temperature. Patterns of biodiversity seem to be determined by the water level of the main arm; therefore the water regime appears to provide pronounced temporal variability in the hydro‐ecology of the floodplain. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)