Original paper
Seasonal changes of ciliated protozoa in a small pond covered by floating macrophytes
Madoni, Paolo
Archiv für Hydrobiologie Volume 121 Number 4 (1991), p. 449 - 461
42 references
published: Aug 13, 1991
published online: May 18, 2022
DOI: 10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/121/1991/449
ArtNo. ESP141012104004, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
The abundance and distribution of ciliated protozoa living in a productive pond covered by Lemna minor LINNAEUS were studied during one year, from October 1986 to October 1987. Over 40 species were recognized. Populations of ciliates associated with floating bed of Lemna minor and those associated with the sediment were analysed. In late autumn and winter, the microfauna on the pond bottom had a higher density and biomass than in the floating bed of macrophytes. In spring and summer instead, higher values in ciliate abundance and biomass were observed in the Lemna bed. Patterns of seasonal changes in the density of organisms - with one or two peaks in the year - were recognized in some species of ciliates. The dynamics of these species appear to be related mainly by physico-chemical and biological factors as the reduction of dissolved oxygen in the bottom and the growth of Lemna in the surface layer.
Keywords
Lemna minor • ciliates • macrophytes • biomass • abundance • LINNAEUS