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Density dynamics of Notholca squamula salina Focke (Rotifera) in Lake Wujka, a freshwater Antarctic lake

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Abstract

The Antarctic Lake Wujka (62°09′28.3″S, 58°27′56.3″W), a shallow water body (Z m  = 1.38 m), situated at c.15 m from the seashore was sampled at two points (Sp 1 and Sp 2) at 3-day intervals from December 2003 to June 2004. The two sampling points differing in location and depth: Sp 1 (Z m  = 0.50 m) was the shallowest site, located near the lake outlet, while Sp 2 (Z m  = 1.38 m) was the deepest spot of the lake. The population density of Notholca squamula salina peaked in June (at 114 ind. l−1) at Sp 1, while at Sp 2 peaked in January (80 ind. l−1) and May (150 ind. l−1). Spearman non-parametric correlations with temperature, salinity, total dissolved solids, conductivity and pH revealed effects that characterize N. squamula salina as a species capable of surviving in a range of aquatic environments, but with a preference for high salinity, food and low temperature. It occurred in highest numbers when the diatom Achnanthes lanceolata var. rostrata (Øestrup) Hust., normally a benthic species, was stirred up into the water during storms that also raised the lake’s salinity to above 20 psu.

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Acknowledgments

I thank Prof. H. Dumont for his critical opinion regarding the text and language correction, and Prof. S. Rakusa-Suszczewski for enabling me to participate in the 28th Polish Antarctic expedition to the H. Arctowski station. My study was supported by the State Committee for Scientific Research based in Warsaw, grant PBZ -KBN-108/PO4/2004.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Nature Conservation, Department of Freshwater Biology, Polish Academy of Science, A. Mickiewicz Av. 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland

    Agnieszka Pociecha

  2. Department of Antarctic Biology, Polish Academy of Science, Ustrzycka 10/12, 02-141, Warsaw, Poland

    Agnieszka Pociecha

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  1. Agnieszka Pociecha
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Pociecha, A. Density dynamics of Notholca squamula salina Focke (Rotifera) in Lake Wujka, a freshwater Antarctic lake . Polar Biol 31, 275–279 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-007-0355-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-007-0355-2

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