Abstract
Studies on parasitism in zooplankton and periphyton assemblages were carried out on samples of water collected from Lakes Płociczno and Płociowe in the Drawa National Park in 2008-2011. Occurrence of the fungal mycobiotal and protozoan parasites of invertebrates was recorded in both lakes. Parasitism of <em>Chydorus </em>sp. (Cladocera) by <em>Saprolegnia </em>sp. occurred on 0.8% of individuals of the host population, of <em>Brachionus calyciflorus </em>(Rotifera) by <em>Microsporidium </em>sp. on 1.2% of the host population, and of Nematoda members by <em>Pythium </em>sp. on 5% of the host population. Parasites were recorded only in springtime.
Highlights
Plankton and periphyton are a complex mixture of organisms that make a significant contribution to the littoral zone of lakes
Studies on parasitism in the zooplankton and periphyton assemblages were carried out on samples of water collected from two lakes in the Drawa National Park
The zooplankton in the littoral zone of Lake Płociowe was dominated by Cladocera (92% of the total population) and of Lake Płociczno by Rotifera (50% of the total)
Summary
Plankton and periphyton are a complex mixture of organisms that make a significant contribution to the littoral zone of lakes. The composition of these assemblages is affected by abiotic and biotic factors and is under continuous and dynamic change. The periphyton consists of a network of complex configurations of organisms with complex interspecies relationships. It often determines the density of individual species in water. Parasites of plankton and periphyton organisms modify the physiological and behavioral processes of their hosts, which is followed by changes in density, survival, fecundity and lifespan of the host
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