Zooplankton Composition Research Articles

Composition and structure of under-ice zooplankton of diverse lakes in Kenozersky National Park (Arkhangelsk Region)

Composition and structure of under-ice zooplankton of diverse lakes in Kenozersky National Park (Arkhangelsk Region)

Spatial and seasonal variation in zooplankton dynamics in Parangipettai coastal waters Southeast coast of India

The distribution and composition of zooplankton are influenced by a combination of physico-chemical and biological processes, which in turn have effects on the entire ecosystem. In this study, the influence of environmental factors on zooplankton diversity in mangrove-estuarine coastal waters of Parangipettai, southeast coast of India, was investigated. Water samples were collected for a period of four years from January 2014 to December 2017. Totally, 145 species of zooplankton were recorded with highest belonging to the Arthropoda (63.21%) followed by Protozoa (10.53%), Cnidaria (7.95%), Urochordata (6.03%), Chordata (2.92%), Chaetognatha (2.62%), Mollusca (2.42%), Echinodermata (1.14%), Annelida (1.05%), Brachiopoda (1.01%), Ctenophora (0.57%) and Phoronida (0.55%). The findings of cluster, MDS, Factor analysis and CCA showed that variations in nutrient concentration may significantly alter the biotic community of zooplankton species. Furthermore, site score confirmed the effect of environmental conditions on zooplankton distribution. The result of TRIX showed the dry seasons are classified as scarcely eutrophied whereas wet seasons as moderately eutrophied. The findings of this study offer enhanced insight into how physico-chemical factors interact and vary over space and time, which is crucial for evaluating the effects of climate change on ecosystem services mediated by zooplankton.

Methylparaben changes the community composition, structure, and assembly processes of free-living bacteria, phytoplankton, and zooplankton

Parabens are common contaminants in river and lake environments. However, few studies have been conducted to determine the effects of parabens on bacteria, phytoplankton, and zooplankton communities in aquatic environments. In this study, the effect of methylparaben (MP) on the diversity and community structure of the aquatic plankton microbiome was investigated by incubating a microcosm with MP at 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg/L for 7 days. The results of the Simpson index showed that MP treatment altered the α-diversity of free-living bacteria (FL), phytoplankton, and zooplankton but had no significant effect on the α-diversity of particle-attached bacteria (PA). Further, the relative abundances of the sensitive bacteria Chitinophaga and Vibrionimonas declined after MP addition. Moreover, the relative abundances of Desmodesmus sp. HSJ717 and Scenedesmus armatus, of the phylum Chlorophyta, were significantly lower in the MP treatment group than in the control group. In addition, the relative abundance of Stoeckeria sp. SSMS0806, of the Dinophyta phylum, was higher than that in the control group. MP addition also increased the relative abundance of Arthropoda but decreased the relative abundance of Rotifera and Ciliophora. The β-diversity analysis showed that FL and phytoplankton communities were clustered separately after treatment with different MP concentrations. MP addition changed community assembly mechanisms in the microcosm, including increasing the stochastic processes for FL and the deterministic processes for PA and phytoplankton. Structural equation modeling analysis showed a significant negative relationship between bacteria richness and phytoplankton richness, and a significant positive relationship between phytoplankton (richness and community composition) and zooplankton. Overall, this study emphasizes that MP, at environmental concentrations, can change the diversity and structure of plankton microbial communities, which might have a negative effect on ecological systems.

Tidal Impacts on Zooplankton Dynamics in a Major Ocean-Lagoon Channel: Insights from a 25-Hour Intensive Survey in the Cotonou Channel, Benin

This study investigates the effects of tidal cycles on the zooplankton community within the Cotonou Channel, an important waterway connecting the large Nokoué Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean in Benin. From the determination of zooplankton composition from 25-hour samples collected in July 2020, alpha diversity indices and abundance were assessed, while relationships between biotic and abiotic parameters were analyzed through Pearson correlation, analysis of variance, and principal component analysis. A total of 66 zooplankton taxa were identified, with rotifers exhibiting the highest species richness (35 taxa), while copepods dominated in abundance (71%). Zooplankton abundance varied significantly, ranging from 2 to 95 ind L−1 depending on the tidal phase. A negative correlation was found between species richness (r = −0.51, p < 0.01) and increasing salinity (3–37), indicating that higher salinity reduced diversity (r = 0.06, p > 0.05). Resilient species like Synchaeta bicornis persisted despite salinity changes. The tidal cycle structurally altered the zooplankton community, with abundance and diversity peaking at different phases, notably higher at high tide (15 ind L−1.) These initial findings underscore the complex interactions between tidal dynamics and estuarine biodiversity, suggesting the need for further research across different tidal and seasonal conditions to inform effective management and conservation efforts.

Increasing microplastic exposure had minimal effects on fatty acid composition in zooplankton and yellow perch in a large, in-lake mesocosm experiment

Using 10 m diameter mesocosms in a Canadian boreal lake, we investigated the effects of microplastic (MP) exposure on the body weight and diet of yellow perch ( Perca flavescens) and the fatty acid composition of yellow perch and zooplankton. We exposed the aquatic ecosystem within seven mesocosms for 10 weeks to a mixture of polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate fragments, ranging in nominal addition concentrations from 6 to 29 240 particles L−1 (although realized water column concentrations were lower), as well as two negative controls. Increasing MP exposure did not affect yellow perch body weight (growth) or diet, or the overall fatty acid composition of yellow perch muscle or zooplankton. Results were highly variable across mesocosms. Despite high levels of MP ingestion by yellow perch, we did not find evidence of MPs leading to food dilution or any other effect where we could anticipate impacts on food web structure.

Lake Champlain Zooplankton Community Dynamics Following an Extreme Flood Event

Lake Champlain, the sixth largest freshwater lake in the U.S., is a deep thermally stratified temperate zone lake system. Recently, flood events have impacted the Northeastern U.S. more frequently than in past decades, resulting in increased turbidity and other impacts in northern temperate lakes. This study represents an unprecedented analysis of the impacts of major spring and summer flooding in 2011 on Lake Champlain zooplankton communities. Few studies exist on flood impacts on lake systems, especially in natural un-impounded lakes. Our results illustrate the impacts of large-scale flooding on planktonic communities in deep stratified temperate lakes and the differential responses among species based on autecological traits. Community responses include flood-adapted increase during the flood event (Ceriodaphnia reticulata and Eubosmina coregoni), a flood-intolerant decline (Asplanchna spp. and Keratella cochlearis) or a delayed flood intolerance (Daphnia retrocurva, Mesocyclops edax, and Polyarthra spp.). Our results suggest that large, temperate lakes such as Lake Champlain will experience community shifts in zooplankton composition during future extreme flood events associated with climate change-related weather patterns in the Northeastern U.S.

Zooplankton and macrozoobenthos of small reservoirs of the State Natural Reserve «Kologrivsky Les» named after M.G. Sinitsyn

The article presents the results of studies of zooplankton and macrozoobenthos of small reservoirs on the territory of the State Natural Reserve «Kologrivsky Les» named after M.G. Sinitsyn. The hydrochemical and hydrophysical parameters of small reservoirs are given. In summer, the highest biomass and abundance of zooplankton were observed for long-existing beaver ponds on streams. In autumn, among the studied small reservoirs, the highest biomass and abundance of zooplankton are characteristic of oxbow lakes. The highest biomass of benthos was noted in oxbow lakes, and its abundance was found in beaver ponds. An analysis of the ecological groups of zooplankton and benthos by type of nutrition was carried out. In autumn, the composition of zooplankton was marked by a predominance of vertical feeders and primary filter feeders in beaver ponds, primary filter feeders and predatory forms in ditches, primary filter feeders and vertical feeders in oxbow lakes, and secondary filter feeders, scrapers, detritivores and stand feeders in hollows in wetlands. The benthos of beaver ponds and oxbow lakes contains all six ecological groups of benthos based on feeding type. There are no collectors, obligate filter feeders or active predators in the ditches. Only soil ingesters were noted in the hollows. A number of indices have been calculated to characterize the structure of zooplankton.

Larval coregonine density and diet composition along beaches of northern Lake Michigan

Recent oligotrophication in Lake Michigan has contributed to reduced biomass of spring zooplankton and a shift in the zooplankton assemblage toward more calanoid copepods. These changes have likely altered prey availability for first feeding native fish species that hatch in early spring. While spring zooplankton densities and assemblage compositions are routinely monitored in offshore areas of Lake Michigan, zooplankton in nearshore areas such as shallow beach environments are less studied; and associated descriptions of diet characteristics among larval coregonine species are limited. In this study, we a) describe the nearshore (<1 m depth) zooplankton assemblage at four sites in northeastern Lake Michigan during early spring 2015–2019 and b) compare diets and diet selectivity of larval lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and Cisco (C. artedi). Zooplankton composition varied among years, but calanoid copepods and copepod nauplii consistently dominated the zooplankton assemblage. Cisco and lake whitefish larvae were captured regularly, with Elk Rapids containing the highest proportion of ciscoes each year. For both species, calanoid and cyclopoid copepods were common in diets and were positively selected as prey. Although previous research has indicated high consumption of cyclopoid copepods by larval coregonines, our results provide new evidence that larval lake whitefish and Cisco in northeastern Lake Michigan will also consume and select for calanoid copepods when they are abundant. As such, should calanoid zooplankton continue to dominate the copepod community in Lake Michigan, larval coregonines appear capable of exploiting this abundant prey resource to improve their likelihood of survival to later life stages.

Net type, tow duration and day/night sampling effects on the composition of marine zooplankton derived from metabarcoding

Net type, tow duration and day/night sampling effects on the composition of marine zooplankton derived from metabarcoding

Структура и динамика гидробиоценозов (фитоперифитон, зоопланктон, зообентос) рек Карельского побережья Белого моря.

This paper summarizes the results of the studies of biota structural organization and dynamics of small rivers of the Karelian White Sea coast. The chemical features and the structure of biological communities in the watercourses were investigated. Analysis of the species composition, abundance and biomass of phytoperiphyton, zooplankton, and zoobenthos was carried out. Variations in the structure of aquatic communities primarily are due to specific hydrographic and hydrological characteristics of river stretches. The paper discusses the main principles of the changes in a structure and functioning of hydrobiont communities in rivers. The trophic status of the rivers, their saprobiological state, and the significance of individual communities and biotic indices for bioindication of the ecological state of the rivers,are estimated. We concluded that the consideration of three groups of organisms enables a more comprehensive and reliable monitoring than the assessment based on a single group.

A circumpolar study of surface zooplankton biodiversity of the Southern Ocean based on eDNA metabarcoding

Under pressure from climate change and fishing, the Southern Ocean ecosystems have been changing. Zooplankton plays a vital role in the food web of the Southern Ocean and is crucial for maintaining ecosystem stability. Investigating the circumpolar-scale species composition and biodiversity of zooplankton is crucial for ensuring ecosystem-based conservation and management of the Southern Ocean in a changing climate. Here, we utilized eDNA metabarcoding to assess the biodiversity of zooplankton in the surface seawater surrounding the Antarctica based on samples collected during two expeditions spanning from 2021 to 2022. The main purpose of this paper is to provide more baseline information about circumpolar zooplankton biodiversity based on the emerging eDNA metabarcoding tool. This comprehensive approach led to the identification of over 300 distinct zooplankton species, forming a diverse community dominated by Jellyfish, Mollusca and Polychaete. Surprisingly, common dominant taxonomic groups such as krill and copepods in the Southern Ocean did not show high relative abundance (reads) in surface seawater. The results of redundancy analysis (RDA) and correlation analysis highlighted that water temperature and chlorophyll a had the most significant impact on the reads and diversity of zooplankton. Notably, the influence of water temperature on zooplankton seemed to be primarily indirect, potentially mediated by its effects on primary productivity. Increasing in primary production might lead to lower zooplankton biodiversity in the Southern Ocean in future. This research underscores the effectiveness of eDNA metabarcoding as a valuable tool for monitoring zooplankton diversity in open seas. Given the ongoing changes in temperature, sea ice extent and their impact on primary production, our findings lay a crucial foundation for using eDNA techniques to establish long-term biodiversity monitoring programs across extensive marine ecosystems in the future.

Integrating depth-dependent protist dynamics and microbial interactions in spring succession of a freshwater reservoir

BackgroundProtists are essential contributors to eukaryotic diversity and exert profound influence on carbon fluxes and energy transfer in freshwaters. Despite their significance, there is a notable gap in research on protistan dynamics, particularly in the deeper strata of temperate lakes. This study aimed to address this gap by integrating protists into the well-described spring dynamics of Římov reservoir, Czech Republic. Over a 2-month period covering transition from mixing to established stratification, we collected water samples from three reservoir depths (0.5, 10 and 30 m) with a frequency of up to three times per week. Microbial eukaryotic and prokaryotic communities were analysed using SSU rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and dominant protistan groups were enumerated by Catalysed Reporter Deposition-Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (CARD-FISH). Additionally, we collected samples for water chemistry, phyto- and zooplankton composition analyses.ResultsFollowing the rapid changes in environmental and biotic parameters during spring, protistan and bacterial communities displayed swift transitions from a homogeneous community to distinct strata-specific communities. A prevalence of auto- and mixotrophic protists dominated by cryptophytes was associated with spring algal bloom-specialized bacteria in the epilimnion. In contrast, the meta- and hypolimnion showcased a development of a protist community dominated by putative parasitic Perkinsozoa, detritus or particle-associated ciliates, cercozoans, telonemids and excavate protists (Kinetoplastida), co-occurring with bacteria associated with lake snow.ConclusionsOur high-resolution sampling matching the typical doubling time of microbes along with the combined microscopic and molecular approach and inclusion of all main components of the microbial food web allowed us to unveil depth-specific populations’ successions and interactions in a deep lentic ecosystem.

SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIATION OF ZOOPLANKTON COMPOSITION NEAR WHALE SHARK SIGHTINGS IN PROBOLINGGO OF EAST JAVA, INDONESIA

Whale shark occurrence in Probolinggo differs from other Indonesian locales, suggesting a link to zooplankton availability. Zooplankton composition and whale shark emergence are the focus of this study. From December 2017 to November 2018, six observation points were made each month. A plankton net filters and lugol preserves water. Olympus CX23 microscope observations were repeated twice. The spatial analysis revealed varying whale shark numbers at each station (Chi-square test, X2 = 1418.6, P &lt;0.05), with six sharks observed at station PR_5. Zooplankton numbers were similar at each location. Temporal analysis revealed significant differences in whale shark appearance each month (Chi-square test, X2 = 81.04, P &lt;0.05), with March and November having the highest appearance among the three individuals. The amount of zooplankton varied (Chi-square test, X2 = 148.61, P &lt;0.05), with the highest abundance in April and March. Whale shark appearance and zooplankton composition were not correlated (r = 0.01, P&lt; 0.05) both geographically and temporally. Whale sharks were linked to zooplankton kinds. Results indicate whale sharks are particularly interested in Acartia sp. (r = 0.3, P &lt; 0.05). This suggests that whale sharks' appearance is determined by their demand for food, not zooplankton availability.

The decadal variability of elemental, isotopic, and biochemical compositions of coastal Mediterranean zooplankton responds to environmental changes

The decadal variability of elemental, isotopic, and biochemical compositions of coastal Mediterranean zooplankton responds to environmental changes

Composition, diel dynamic and biotic-abiotic interaction of marine neustonic zooplankton in the oligotrophic South China Sea

Neuston, situated at the air-sea interface, stands as a crucial frontier in the realm of the global warming. Despite its unique habitat, there remains a need to substantiate the composition, diel dynamic and biotic-abiotic interaction of neustonic zooplankton in the tropical seas. In this study, we present rare observational data on neustonic zooplankton (0–20 cm) in the oligotrophic tropical South China Sea (SCS) during the summer of 2022. A total of eighteen samples were collected and analyzed, revealing the presence of fourteen taxa from eight phyla. The most prevalent group was Cypridina, accounting for 33.7% of the total abundance, followed by copepods (29.0%) and jellyfish (10.9%). Within copepods, the genus Pontella exhibited the highest relative abundance (38.0%). Additionally, each neuston taxon displayed unique diel distribution patterns. Cypridina was the most abundant taxon during the night (40.4%), while it shifted to copepod dominance during the day (50.4%). Among copepods, genus Pontella and larvae were dominant groups at night (44.7%) and during the day (30.0%), respectively. Moreover, a multivariate biota-environment analysis demonstrated that temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and Si(OH)4 significantly impacted neuston composition. Notably, both jellyfish and sea snails showed a significant positive correlation with temperature, suggesting their potential dominance in the neuston community in response to future global warming in the oligotrophic tropical seas. This study lays a robust foundation for recognizing the neuston community in the oceanic SCS, and helps evaluate the long-term risks to neuston habitats under climate changes.

Indication of feeding ground inside the Manta Ray's cleaning station by investigation of the zooplankton community composition in Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia

Abstract. Widiastuti, Borumei D. 2024. Indication of feeding ground inside the Manta Ray's cleaning station by investigation of the zooplankton community composition in Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 1239-1245. Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia, hosts reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) and oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris). Studies reported that these areas have functioned as manta ray cleaning and nursery sites. However, food availability is also the main attraction for manta ray aggregation. Thus, this study investigated the zooplankton community composition and abundance in the Manta Sandy Spot, a manta's cleaning station, to indicate its other role as the manta ray's feeding ground. Three sampling sites were located around the cleaning station bordered by mooring. A plankton net collected samples with a 100 µm mesh size, a mouth diameter of 30 cm, and a 1 m length horizontally towed from a boat for 5-10 min at a speed of ~2 knots. Manta ray's behavior was observed by snorkeling in the surface waters. Results demonstrated that the zooplankton was only composed of Copepod, consisting of three orders: Calanoida, Cyclopoida, and Harpacticoida. Among these orders, Calanoids dominated the zooplankton composition (93%). These genera were further grouped according to their body sizes, whereas three genera in Calanoids (Eucalanus, Calanus, and Undinula) were categorized as large-bodied zooplankton. The presence of the large-bodied zooplankton in the water samples, Calanoids, and Cyclopoids, which have been reported as the manta rays' preferred prey, indicates the area's role as the manta ray's feeding ground. This finding is supported by studies that found these zooplankton in the water where manta rays' feeding activity occurred and were absent in areas with no feeding activity. More indications were demonstrated by the manta ray's behavior, which followed the feeding activity criteria.

Spatio-temporal variations in the mesozooplankton assemblages off Clarence Island, Magellan Strait, Chile

The seasonality in the light regime from subpolar regions impinges on limitations in the zooplankton dynamics. However, knowledge about seasonal variations in the mesozooplankton assemblages is limited in the southern tip of South America and around the Magellan Strait. Here, we studied the seasonal variation (summer vs. winter) and the spatial distribution (dozens of kilometers) of the mesozooplankton on the occidental shore of Clarence Island, Magellan Strait, Chilean Patagonia. A total of 69 taxonomic groups were identified in the samples, varying from 65 in summer (early March 2020) to 50 in winter (June 2020). Copepods numerically dominated the plankton, particularly Drepanopus forcipatus and Clausocalanus brevipes, although chaetognaths were also abundant in winter. The similarity in the composition was higher for samples collected in summer, whereas in winter there was larger variability in the zooplankton structure. At spatial scale, a large sound at the eastern coast of the island, Dyneley sound showed different composition of copepods compared to other channels both in summer and winter. Seasonal variation was five times larger than the spatial variation in the similarity of the mesozooplankton composition. Finally, higher richness and lower evenness were detected in austral summer, while the opposite was noticed in winter, with differences in alpha-diversity indices between seasons but not among locations. Understanding the drivers of seasonal variability in the zooplankton composition of this extreme ecosystem is essential for predictions of the impacts of salmon farming and climate change in southern Patagonia.

Distribution and Abundance of Zooplankton in Anthropogenic-Impacted Stream, Nsit-Ibom, Nigeria

This study aimed to investigate the distribution and abundance of zooplankton in Mbiokporo stream Nsit-Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Samples were collected and analyzed using standard methods. The result revealed that there were 9 zooplankton taxonomic groups (namely: Arachnida, Bdelloidae, Branchiopoda, Chromadorae, Euglenoidea, Hexanauplia, Insecta, Polychaeta, Tubulinea), comprising 12 species and 91 individuals. The most abundant zooplankton species was Temora longicornis with the highest number of species across all the stations 24 &gt; 19 &gt; 7 for station 1, station 2, and station 3 respectively. Branchiopoda had the highest number of species (4) and highest species composition (33.33%), while Hexanauplia recorded the highest individual abundance (54.95%). The relative abundance of zooplankton phyla was as follows: (Hexanauplia, 54.95 %) &gt; (Branchiopoda, 13.19 %) &gt; (Bdelloidae, 8.79) % &gt; (Chromadorae, 7.69 %) &gt; (Polychaeta and Arachnida, 5.49 % each) &gt; (Insecta, 2.20 %) &gt; (Tubulinea, 1.10 %) respectively. Indices of species dominance were as follows: station 1 &gt; station 2 &gt; station 3, with the following values 0.4349 &gt; 0.4235 &gt; 0.2397 each. Meanwhile, the highest species evenness was in station 3 (0.7887), followed by station 2 (0.5495), while the lowest was in station 1 (0.486). Margalef’s species diversity was slightly higher in station 1 (1.649) than in station 3 (1.618) while the lowest was in station 2 (1.456). The equitability index among stations was as follows: 3 (0.8675) &gt; station 2 (0.6659) &gt; station 1 (0.6292). However, this result revealed that ongoing anthropogenic activities along the stream may resulted in the deterioration of the stream thereby leading low species composition of zooplankton as observed in this study.

Toxicity assays and in silico approach to assess the impacts of chlorine dioxide on survival, respiration and some biochemical markers of marine zooplankton

Chlorination is the common antifouling method in desalination and power plant water intake structures to control microbial and macrofouling growth. In this study, the impacts of chlorine dioxide on toxicity, metabolic activity and biochemical markers like glutathione S-transferase and catalase enzyme activity were tested using four zooplankton species (Centropages sp., Acartia sp., Oncaea sp., and Calanus sp.) collected from the Red Sea. The zooplankton species were treated with different concentrations (0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 mg L−1) of chlorine dioxide. Further, chlorite, the main decomposition product of chlorine dioxide, was used for molecular docking studies against glutathione S-transferase and catalase enzymes. The results indicated the LC50 range of 0.552–1.643 mg L−1 for the studied zooplankton species. The respiration rate of the zooplankton increased due to the chlorine dioxide treatment with a maximum of 0.562 μg O2 copepod h−1 in Acartia. The glutathione S-transferase and catalase enzyme activities showed elevated values in zooplankton treated with chlorine dioxide. Molecular docking of chlorite with enzymes involved in antioxidant defense activity, such as glutathione S-transferase and catalase enzyme showed weak interactions. Overall, this study yielded significant insights for understanding the effects of chlorine dioxide on the survival, metabolism, and biochemical composition of marine zooplankton.

Effects of physical forcing on short-term plankton dynamics in a narrow coral reef lagoon (Ouano, New Caledonia): a two-week high-frequency study

Abstract The response of plankton communities to short-term climatic events was studied in a narrow coral reef lagoon representative of the channel-type lagoons of the high islands of the tropical Pacific. Phyto- and zooplankton data (abundance and taxonomic composition) were sampled at high frequencies for 2 weeks in April–May 2017 under various tidal conditions and combined with environmental and physical measurements and modeling hydrodynamic products. The short-term external events (wind, waves and rain) that occurred caused changes in the circulation patterns and increased nutrient concentrations in the lagoon. The plankton reacted quickly to this enrichment, with an increase in chlorophyll a and the rapid development of a microphytoplankton community dominated by diatoms, and of opportunistic herbivorous zooplankton (tintinnids, appendicularians). Zooplankton composition and distribution were strongly modulated by the circulation patterns through advection and mixing. Our results show that the tidal and diel components of the temporal variability of planktonic groups were blurred by sporadic event components (i.e. wind, wave and rainfall events). Environmental and biological responses to these external physical forcings occurred at lagoon scale in this channel-like lagoon, unlike what is observed in larger lagoons (such as the southern lagoons of New Caledonia) where spatial variability is much higher.