Abundance, succession and morphological variation of planktonic rotifers during autumnal circulation in a hypertrophic lake (Heiligensee, Berlin)

Abstract

Quantitative samples were taken in the pelagial zone of hypertrophic Heiligensee (Berlin, Germany) in the late summer and autumn of 1990. Abundances of 26 species occurring in the plankton, as well as physical and chemical parameters (water temperature, O₂, total phosphorus, SRP, NO ^-₃ , NO ^-₂ NH ⁺₄ , chlorophyll a) were determined at different depths. Erosion of the hypolimnion due to autumnal storms and decrease in temperature was interrupted by fine weather periods with the occurrence of re-stratification, thus allowing mass production of algae and rotifers (Synchaeta oblonga, S. tremula,Keratella cochlearis) through exploitation of newly available nutrients. Warm stenothermal ’summer species’ (e.g. Pompholyx sulcata, Trichocerca pusilla, Liliferotrocha subtilis) became less abundant as a consequence of the progressive mixing process, whereas the appearance of new species was a rare event. The late summer occurrence of Liliferotrocha subtilis in the fraction <30 μm (up to 3500 ind. 1^-1) is remarkable. Keratella cochlearis showed morphological variation from spineless summer forms to spinebearing autumnal forms, the latter particularly dominating the deeper water layers. The prevailing phenomenon was the dramatic decrease of the total number of individuals and of species towards completion of autumnal turnover. The impact of falling temperature, increasing mixing depth and mass production of phytoplankton on the rotifer plankton community is discussed.