Temporal variation in body-size spectrum of biofilm-dwelling protozoa during the colonization process in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea, northern China

Abstract

As an inherent function of a community, body-size spectrum has been increasingly used as a useful indicator in global ecological research. The colonization dynamics of biofilm-dwelling protozoa with regard to body-size spectrum were studied based on a 1-month baseline survey in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea, northern China. Samples were collected at time intervals of 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, 21 and 28 days from depths of 1 and 3 m. A total of seven body-size ranks were identified based on a trait hierarchy. The individual abundance of the protozoa at each body-size rank was well fitted to the logistic model equation. The body-size spectra showed a clear shift in probability density during the colonization period at both depths. The multivariate approach demonstrated that the temporal dynamics in body-size spectra of the protozoa may be divided into initial (1 day), transitional (3–7 days) and stable (10–28 days) stages during the colonization period. These results provide useful information for ecological research and monitoring programmes using biofilm-dwelling protozoa in marine ecosystems.

Insights into bioassessment of water quality status using functional units of protozoan periphytons in marine ecosystems

“…Combining the four ecological traits; i) feeding type bacterivores (B), algivores (A), raptors (R) and nonselectives (N) (Fenchel, 1969;Pratt and Cairns, 1985;Fernandez-Leborans and Fernandez-Fernandez, 2002;Parry, 2004;Abdullah Al et al, 2018;Jiang et al, 2013a;Wang and Xu, 2015;Sikder et al, 2019b), ii) source of food supply (inside/outside the bio lm) (Jiang et al, 2013b;Zhong et al, 2017;Guo et al, 2019), iii) body size, (S1-S8) (Kerr and Deckie, 2001;Jiang et al, 2012;Wang et al, 2016aWang et al, , 2016bXu and Xu, 2016;Zhao et al, 2016), iv) modes of locomotion, planktonic (P), sessile (S), and vagile (V) a collective/composite 53 "Functional Units (FU)" were proposed as possible bioindicators of water quality status in marine ecosystems.…”

“…Similarly, body size spectrum as an internal function, have been proved a useful operative tool to summarize the functional dynamics of a community (Sheldon et al, 1972;San martin et al, 2006;Kamenir et al, 2010;Jiang et al, 2012;Xu and Xu, 2016). Traditionally seven body size ranks; S1, 2-17 µm; S2, 22-27 µm; S3, 29-36 µm; S4, 37-49 µm; S5, 53-71 µm; S6, 84-92 µm; S7, 127-153 µm have been used as robust bio indicator to summarize the environmental changes (Kerr and Deckie, 2001;Jiang et al, 2012;Wang et al, 2016aWang et al, , 2016bXu et al, 2016aXu et al, , 2016bXu and Xu, 2016;Zhao et al, 2016;Uroosa et al, 2020). Although, variety of approaches have been used previously based on the collecting and analyzing the protozoan communities (Railkin, 1998;Struder-Kypke, 1999;Kralj et al, 2006;Norf et al, 2007;Xu et al, 2009a).…”