Water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia) of water bodies of the Krąpiel River valley: interactions in the spatial arrangement of a river valley

Robert Stryjecki,Paweł Buczyński,Edyta Buczyńska,Przemysław Śmietana,Magdalena Szenejko,Stanisław Czachorowski,Andrzej Zawal,Edyta Stępień

doi:10.1007/s10201-016-0479-6

Abstract

The present study is a discussion of the interactions between different types of water bodies in the spatial arrangement of a river valley, taking into account landscape data. The Hydrachnidia assemblages in particular types of valley water bodies (oxbows, riparian pools, permanent ponds, flooded alder carrs, sedge marshes, and springs) are strongly influenced by the spatial arrangement of the water bodies in the landscape. Moreover, the formation of a fauna in a particular type of valley water body is also influenced by its origin. For example, the faunas of the oxbow lakes and riparian pools would have many characteristics in common, as these two types of water body can be characterized as originating in the river. As many as 61 species common to the valley water bodies and the Krąpiel River were noted. In the interactions between the valley water bodies and the river, the direction of migration from the former to the latter was clearly predominant. Migration in the reverse direction, from the river to the valley water bodies, took place to a far lesser degree. CCA analysis of landscape variables showed the influences of certain landscape parameters on water mites. These should be regarded as indirect influences, but as a consequence of their effects, they influence the formation of specific types of Hydrachnidia assemblages.

Highlights

IntroductionMost studies on the water mites of river valleys are limited to research on the rivers themselves, overlooking the water bodies of the floodplain and other water bodies in the river valley (Biesiadka 1970; Kowalik 1981; Kowalik and Biesiadka 1981; Bazan-Strzelecka 1986; Bottger and Hoerschelmann 1991; Cicolani and Di Sabatino 1991; Gerecke and Schwoerbel 1991; Meyer 1994; Bottger and Martin 1995; Cichocka 1996a; Martin 1996, 1997; Cichocka 2006; Stryjecki and Kowalczyk-Pecka 2013a; Zawal and Kowalik 2013; Kowalik et al 2014)
The Hydrachnidia assemblages in particular types of valley water bodies are strongly influenced by the spatial arrangement of the water bodies in the landscape
It seems essential to conduct research on the fauna of river valleys considered as a whole, i.e., taking into account the river itself and other water bodies situated in the river valley

Summary

Introduction

Most studies on the water mites of river valleys are limited to research on the rivers themselves, overlooking the water bodies of the floodplain and other water bodies in the river valley (Biesiadka 1970; Kowalik 1981; Kowalik and Biesiadka 1981; Bazan-Strzelecka 1986; Bottger and Hoerschelmann 1991; Cicolani and Di Sabatino 1991; Gerecke and Schwoerbel 1991; Meyer 1994; Bottger and Martin 1995; Cichocka 1996a; Martin 1996, 1997; Cichocka 2006; Stryjecki and Kowalczyk-Pecka 2013a; Zawal and Kowalik 2013; Kowalik et al 2014). According to Zadin (quoted in Biesiadka 1974), oxbow lakes are an integral part of the river system because they are part of the former river channel For this reason, it seems essential to conduct research on the fauna of river valleys considered as a whole, i.e., taking into account the river itself and other water bodies situated in the river valley. When we consider the fact that part of the life cycle of water mites takes place outside the aquatic environment, it should be assumed that the formation of particular Hydrachnidia assemblages in different types of water body may be influenced by factors acting outside the aquatic environment and affecting the hosts of water mite larvae, i.e., flying insects (e.g., Chironomidae)

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Discussion

Conclusion