Subfossil statoblasts of Lophopodella capensis (Sollas, 1908) (Bryozoa, Phylactolaemata, Lophopodidae) in the Upper Pleistocene and Holocene sediments of a montane wetland, Eastern Mau Forest, Kenya

Rob Marchant,Esther N Githumbi,Lauren R Shotter,Stephen M Rucina,Colin J Courtney Mustaphi

doi:10.3897/afrinvertebr.57.8191

Abstract

Lophopodella capensis (Sollas, 1908) is only known from a limited number of palustrine and lacustrine sites in southern Africa and single sites in both Kenya and Israel. Statoblasts of L. capensis were found preserved in the Upper Pleistocene and Holocene aged sediments of Enapuiyapui wetland, Eastern Mau Forest, western Kenya. The wetland is a headwater microcatchment of tributaries that feed into the Mara River and the Lake Victoria Basin. Bryozoan taxa were not surveyed in a 2007 macroinvertebrate biodiversity assessment. The presence of L. capensis at this site marks the second observation of this taxon in Kenya, 65 km from Lake Naivasha, where observed prior, and in a location some 1000 meters higher. The results suggest Bryozoa should be included in aquatic biodiversity surveys that target these wetlands and that bryozoan remains should be incorporated into palaeoecological studies as useful palaeoenvironmental indicators.

Highlights

Lophopodella capensis (Sollas, 1908) (Bryozoa: Phylactolaemata: Lophopodidae) is a small Bryozoan that is epiphytic on stems and leaves and epilithic and occurs in freshwater to brackish waters, up to 9.4 pH in a temperature range of 18–25 °C (Lacourt 1968)
We present a second occurrence of L. capensis in Kenya from subfossil statoblasts observed in the Upper Pleistocene and Holocene aged sediments of a small, montane wetland located in the Eastern Mau Forest
L. capensis were present in three clusters in the stratigraphy and suggest that L. capensis was present in the wetland since at least 15600 yr BP and was certainly present until recently, around 120 yr BP (Figure 4)

Summary

Introduction

Lophopodella capensis (Sollas, 1908) (Bryozoa: Phylactolaemata: Lophopodidae) is a small Bryozoan that is epiphytic on stems and leaves and epilithic and occurs in freshwater to brackish waters, up to 9.4 pH in a temperature range of 18–25 °C (Lacourt 1968). It has been observed at water depths from littoral to 18 m depth (Lacourt 1967). We present a second occurrence of L. capensis in Kenya from subfossil statoblasts observed in the Upper Pleistocene and Holocene aged sediments of a small, montane wetland located in the Eastern Mau Forest. The region is inhabited by the Ogiek community who are traditionally practiced hunter-gatherer livelihoods but current local populations are increasingly practicing pastoralism, dominantly cattle, goats and sheep, and much of the lower elevations have been converted to sedentary agriculture (Spruyt 2011)

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion and conclusions