Epiphytic metazoans on emergent macrophytes in oxbow lakes of the Krapina River, Croatia: differences related to plant species and limnological conditions

Abstract

-This study investigated the structure of the epiphytic metazoans on emerged macrophytes in the littoral zone of two oxbow lakes with different trophic levels. Differences in the diversity and density of the epiphytic metazoans were analyzed in relation to plant architecture (simple or complex stems), food resources (algae and detritus) and water characteristics (transparency and derived trophic state index). A significant negative correlation was found between detritus on plants as food resource, and diversity and density of epiphytic metazoans, indicating grazing of microphagous species. Rotifers dominated in diversity and density in the epiphyton on all habitats. Total density of metazoans, rotifers and copepods in epiphyton were significantly higher on Mentha in mesotrophic lake than on Iris in a eutrophic lake. We presume that macrophyte belt width and trophic state governed biotic interactions and consequently epiphytic assemblages more strongly than macrophyte architecture. However, a Mentha habitat showed a slightly higher density and diversity of epiphytic metazoans in relation to Iris at the same site, but these differences were not significant.

Improving Aquatic Biodiversity Estimates in Africa: Rotifers of Angola and Ghana

“…Table 1. List of the 37 sampled aquatic sites (Ghana #1-32, Angola # [33][34][35][36][37] and their environmental features. Sites ordered as in map (see Figure 1).…”

“…In the littoral zone, it is also common to observe the presence of epiphytic rotifers, which depend on the presence of a suitable substrate for their growth [35]. In these habitats, rotifers represent a major part of the non-algal periphyton biomass [36,37]. Changes in the physical and chemical features of the water body can also determine the occurrence of certain rotifer species.…”

Taxonomy and Species Composition of Epiphytic Algae in Sta. Cruz River, Laguna (Philippines)

“…rivers, streams, and the like) and shallow lakes contributing largely to the autochthonous carbon pool and oxygen budget of the aquatic ecosystem (Janauer & Dokulil, 2006). These plants have a significant function in water biocenoses, hydrology and sediment dynamics, biochemical cycles, structuring and altering the physico-chemical features (of an aquatic ecosystem) by photosynthesis, mineralization, and decomposition (Jeppesen et al, 2002;Joniak et al, 2007;Špoljar et al, 2012). Macrophytes have diverse species of microalgae attached to submerged plant parts which have been shown to be an important productive component of the aquatic ecosystem (Sheldon & Boylen, 1975).…”

Phytophilous Fauna of a Small and Artificial Urban Lake

“…Littoral zone of shallow lakes is often covered with macrophytes, where submersed macrophytes significantly impact environmental conditions, i.e. stabilize the sediment, provide refuge and food source for invertebrates, and influence the nutrient cycle (Meerhoff et al, 2007;Bogut et al, 2010;Čerba et al, 2010;Špoljar et al, 2012;BasiĔska et al, 2014). Watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum is a submerged plant with dissected, thin leaves which create particularly favourable microhabitat conditions for aquatic invertebrates KuczyĔska-Kippen and BasiĔska, 2014).…”