Hydrobiological Journal

ISSN for PRINT: 0018-8166

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2004, Volume40

Issue 4

125 pages

DOI: 10.1615/HydrobJ.v40.i4

Issue price - $369.00

R. V. Babko
Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine

T. N. Kuzmina
Sumy State University, Sumy, Ukraine

The species composition and quantitative indices of development of epiphytic Ciliata occurring on various species of higher aquatic plants, including Ceratophyllum demersum L., Typha latifolia L., Lemna minor L., and Spirodela polyrrhiza L., in the Strelka river (the Dnieper river basin) were investigated. Calculations of the quantitative indices of development of Ciliata per unit volume of their vital space made it possible not only to compare the structural and functional characteristics of their assemblages occurring in the fouling of various species of higher aquatic plants, but also to compare them with analogous indices registered in water column and bottom sediments. The highest quantitative indices of development, and also the highest functional activity were characteristic of Ciliata occurring on C. demersum characterized by the most complicated spatial organization. The contribution of epiphytic Ciliata to the total decomposition performed by Ciliata of the main ecological groups may account for 44%.

DOI: 10.1615/HydrobJ.v40.i4.20 Download article, 17 pages

Article price - $40.00

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