Original paper
Pelagic ciliated protozoa in a shallow eutrophic lake: community structure and seasonal dynamics
Zingel, Priit
Archiv für Hydrobiologie Volume 146 Number 4 (1999), p. 495 - 511
53 references
published: Nov 24, 1999
DOI: 10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/146/1999/495
ArtNo. ESP141014604007, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Seasonal population dynamics and community composition of planktonic ciliates of shallow eutrophic Lake Võrtsjärv were studied from January 1995 to December 1996. The abundances (1995 mean 39.0 x 103 cells/l, 1996 mean 60.1 x 103 cells/l) and biomasses (1995 mean = 0.68 mg/l, 1996 mean = 2.91 mg/l) were high and showed an increasing trend with the decrease in water level. Ciliate abundances peaked in spring (May) and in late summer (July, August) reaching values up to 191.1 x 103 cells/l. The biomass maxima did not coincide with maximum abundances and were tied with the mass occurrences of large-sized carnivorous species. Ciliates accounted for 50 to 64 % of the zooplankton biomass (in 1995 and 1996, respectively). Oligotrichs, haptorids, scuticociliates and prostomatids dominated the community of ciliates.
Keywords
Planktonic ciliates • eutrophic • biomass • Lake Võrtsjärv • Estonia