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Influence of Abiotic Factors on the Spatio-temporal Distribution of Rotifers in a Subtropical Lake of Western Himalaya

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Abstract

Spatial and temporal variation of rotifers in Lake Sattal of Western Himalaya was studied from January 2011 to December 2012. A total of 22 rotifer species could be identified in the lake with a biannual mean abundance of 2.07 × 106 individuals/m3 in eastern basin and 1.92 × 106 individuals/m3 in western basin having maximum abundance during summer season. The main factors regulating distribution patterns of rotifers are nutrients, viz. NH4-N, PO4-P, NO2-N, and NO3-N, and turbidity, pH, and transparency. Six species of rotifers were deliberated as important species based on importance value index. Keratella quadrata, Colurella obtusa, and Asplanchna priodonta flourish under low turbid conditions. Philodina roseola demonstrated as a phosphorous-tolerant species, whereas K. quadrata and C. obtusa are thermophilous and their distributions are highly influenced by pH and transparency. The total organic matter (TOM) of the sediment has a significant positive correlation with species richness and diversity. The hierarchical environmental descriptor suggests water chemistry has a greater significant role in assemblages of rotifers as compared to sediment characteristics.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Dr. Mukesh Joshi and Dr. Anuharika Chauhan for their help in sample collection. We are grateful to Dr. Mukul Kanpal and Dr. L. Khamashon for their valuable suggestions during data analysis. We thank the scientists of ICAR-Directorate of Coldwater Fisheries Research, Bhimtal—Dr. N.N. Pandey, Dr. S Ali, and Dr. Premkumar—for their substantial help and guidance during the research work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital, India

    S. Inaotombi & P. K. Gupta

  2. National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, India

    P. C. Mahanta

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  1. S. Inaotombi
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  2. P. K. Gupta
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Correspondence to S. Inaotombi.

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Inaotombi, S., Gupta, P.K. & Mahanta, P.C. Influence of Abiotic Factors on the Spatio-temporal Distribution of Rotifers in a Subtropical Lake of Western Himalaya. Water Air Soil Pollut 227, 50 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-015-2729-3

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