Hyporheic fauna from interstitial of the Someş River basin (Transylvania, northwestern Romania)

Biodiversity in hyporheic habitats (interstitial water habitats in river bank sediments) has been studied on Someşul Cald (Warm Someş) and Someşul Rece (Cold Someş) River (north-western Romania, Transylvania), from March to October 2004. pH and electrical conductivity were measured monthly at each site, and animals were collected with the Karaman-Chappuis method and by filtering water through a hand-net. The relative abundance of the best-represented hyporheic invertebrates (oligochaetes and insect larvae) was higher in Someşul Cald interstitial habitats than in Someşul Rece. The focus was directed to the role of water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia), cyclopoid copepods (Crustacea, Copepoda, Cyclopoida) and oligochaetes (Annelida, Oligochaeta) in hyporheic communities. Nine water mites and five cyclopoid species were identified in five sampling sites of the two rivers. Their higher diversity was recorded in two stations on the Someşul Cald River. The cyclopoid copepod Diacyclops disjunctus (Thallwitz, 1927) is a new record for Romania. As for oligochaetes, 17 species were identified and their higher diversity was recorded on Someşul Rece River. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) shows that presence of some water mites and cyclopoid species can be associated with measured physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) shows similarities between stations and the dominant taxa in some samples

Spatio-temporal insights into microbiology of the freshwater-to-hypersaline, oxic-hypoxic-euxinic waters of Ursu Lake

Ursu Lake is located in the Middle Miocene salt deposit of Central Romania. It is stratified, and the water column has three distinct water masses: an upper freshwater-to-moderately saline stratum (0–3 m), an intermediate stratum exhibiting a steep halocline (3–3.5 m), and a lower hypersaline stratum (4 m and below) that is euxinic (i.e. anoxic and sulphidic). Recent studies have characterized the lake's microbial taxonomy and given rise to intriguing ecological questions. Here, we explore whether the communities are dynamic or stable in relation to taxonomic composition, geochemistry, biophysics, and ecophysiological functions during the annual cycle. We found: (i) seasonally fluctuating, light-dependent communities in the upper layer (≥0.987–0.990 water-activity), a stable but phylogenetically diverse population of heterotrophs in the hypersaline stratum (water activities down to 0.762) and a persistent plate of green sulphur bacteria that connects these two (0.958–0.956 water activity) at 3–3.5 to 4 m; (ii) communities that might be involved in carbon- and sulphur-cycling between and within the lake's three main water masses; (iii) uncultured lineages including Acetothermia (OP1), Cloacimonetes (WWE1), Marinimicrobia (SAR406), Omnitrophicaeota (OP3), Parcubacteria (OD1) and other Candidate Phyla Radiation bacteria, and SR1 in the hypersaline stratum (likely involved in the anaerobic steps of carbon- and sulphur-cycling); and (iv) that species richness and habitat stability are associated with high redox-potentials. Ursu Lake has a unique and complex ecology, at the same time exhibiting dynamic fluctuations and stability, and can be used as a modern analogue for ancient euxinic water bodies and comparator system for other stratified hypersaline systems

Present status of water mite species (Acari, Hydrachnidia) described by Motaş, Tanasachi and Orghidan from Romania

The present paper investigates the validity of the water mite species (Acari, Hydrachnidia) described from Romania by Motaş, Tanasachi and Orghidan. The Romanian researchers from the “Emil Racoviţă” Speleology Institute, Romanian Academy, Bucharest, had a prolific activity between 1939 and 1963: among the taxa new to science described by these authors, 34 species and 3 subspecies had their type localities in Romania. More than 50 years later, 23 species and one subspecie described by the team coordinated by Motaş are still valid. 17 of these taxa were found all over Europe, while 7 were not recorded outside Romania until present day.W niniejszym artykule zbadano aktualność gatunków wodopójek (Acari, Hydrachnidia) opisanych z terenu Rumunii przez Motaşa, Tanasachi i Orghidana. Główna aktywność rumuńskich badaczy z Instytutu Speleologii "Emil Racoviţă", Akademii Rumuńskiej w Bukareszcie, przypadała na lata 1939-1963. Spośród nowych gatunków opisywanych przez tych autorów locus typicus 34 gatunków i 3 podgatunków znajdowały się na terenie Rumunii. Ponad 50 lat później, 23 gatunki i jeden podgatunek opisane przez zespół prowadzony przez Motaş są nadal aktualne. 17 z tych taksonów odnotowano na terenie całej Europy, a 7 innych do dnia dzisiejszego stwierdzonych jest jedynie na terenie Rumunii

Contributions to the knowledge of amphipod fauna (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from the Danube Delta, Romania

The amphipod species Pontogammarus maeoticus (Sovinskij, 1894) was identified in two locations from the Danube Delta, Romania (Sfântu Gheorghe and Sulina beaches) in July 2019. This is an eurybiont species, able to withstand high salinity variations characteristic to mixing fresh and sea waters. The individuals presented a special character in their morphology, a depression on the basis of pereiopod V.  The present paper contributes to the knowledge of existing amphipod fauna from the Danube Delta, in the Black Sea coast area. Purcari et al sc (PDF) Article history: Received 8 April 2020; Revised 7 December 2020; Accepted 10 December 2020; Available online 20 December 2020

Diversity of Spring Invertebrates and Their Habitats: A Story of Preferences

Springs, as unique ecotonal habitats between surface and hypogean areas, are considered endangered aquatic ecosystems due to direct and indirect human impacts and climate change issues. They are distinctive water habitats that are often inhabited by a diverse but mostly stenotypic group of organisms. The present study considered 31 springs from the Apuseni Mountains (the Romanian Carpathians) that were classified as rheocrene, helocrene, and limnocrene based on their geomorphology and hydrology. Samples from three substrate types (rocks, sand, and bryophytes) were collected using standard methods for crenic invertebrates. A total of 64,462 individuals belonging to 17 invertebrate taxa were identified: aquatic worms, mollusks, crustaceans, water mites, and insects. Amphipoda and Diptera–Chironomidae were the dominant taxa in most springs. At a community level, patterns of habitat preference were demonstrated for 12 invertebrate groups using the standardized selection index (B) and expressed as the number of springs where a certain group selected rocks, sand, and/or bryophytes: Four groups exhibited preferences for bryophytes (Coleoptera, Diptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera), Ephemeroptera exhibited preferences for rocks, and Copepoda exhibited preferences for sand. Amphipoda, Platyhelminthes, and Ostracoda displayed preferences for all three substratum types, while Gastropoda, Hydrachnidia, and Oligochaeta recorded lower percentages in springs where habitat preferences were significant. In addition, crenic invertebrates were divided into three guilds, depending on their dispersion abilities in any stage of their life cycle: sedentary (not-winged groups), mobile (winged groups), and ectoparasites (water mites that were able to leave the springs on their winged hosts). Sedentary taxa recorded higher percentages of abundances and habitat preferences towards rocks and sand, while ectoparasites (Hydrachnidia) and the mobile guilds tended to prefer bryophytes. This segregation might be explained by individual adaptations to the particularities of each type of substratum, such as the bodily form of the copepods, which are well suited for sand interstices, a habitat that our data showed that they preferred. Our results represent novel contributions to the knowledge of habitat preferences of spring invertebrates from the Apuseni Mountains, adding value to similar data from the Western Carpathians, the Alps, and the Dinaric region

Diversity of Spring Invertebrates and Their Habitats: A Story of Preferences

Springs, as unique ecotonal habitats between surface and hypogean areas, are considered endangered aquatic ecosystems due to direct and indirect human impacts and climate change issues. They are distinctive water habitats that are often inhabited by a diverse but mostly stenotypic group of organisms. The present study considered 31 springs from the Apuseni Mountains (the Romanian Carpathians) that were classified as rheocrene, helocrene, and limnocrene based on their geomorphology and hydrology. Samples from three substrate types (rocks, sand, and bryophytes) were collected using standard methods for crenic invertebrates. A total of 64,462 individuals belonging to 17 invertebrate taxa were identified: aquatic worms, mollusks, crustaceans, water mites, and insects. Amphipoda and Diptera–Chironomidae were the dominant taxa in most springs. At a community level, patterns of habitat preference were demonstrated for 12 invertebrate groups using the standardized selection index (B) and expressed as the number of springs where a certain group selected rocks, sand, and/or bryophytes: Four groups exhibited preferences for bryophytes (Coleoptera, Diptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera), Ephemeroptera exhibited preferences for rocks, and Copepoda exhibited preferences for sand. Amphipoda, Platyhelminthes, and Ostracoda displayed preferences for all three substratum types, while Gastropoda, Hydrachnidia, and Oligochaeta recorded lower percentages in springs where habitat preferences were significant. In addition, crenic invertebrates were divided into three guilds, depending on their dispersion abilities in any stage of their life cycle: sedentary (not-winged groups), mobile (winged groups), and ectoparasites (water mites that were able to leave the springs on their winged hosts). Sedentary taxa recorded higher percentages of abundances and habitat preferences towards rocks and sand, while ectoparasites (Hydrachnidia) and the mobile guilds tended to prefer bryophytes. This segregation might be explained by individual adaptations to the particularities of each type of substratum, such as the bodily form of the copepods, which are well suited for sand interstices, a habitat that our data showed that they preferred. Our results represent novel contributions to the knowledge of habitat preferences of spring invertebrates from the Apuseni Mountains, adding value to similar data from the Western Carpathians, the Alps, and the Dinaric region

Neighbours vs. strangers discrimination in Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) manifest strongly intra- and interspecific aggressivity. In our study we test the Water Rail’s reaction to the calls of conspecifics neighbours and strangers, to conclude if they express the “neighbour-stranger discrimination” (NSD) and / or “the dear enemy effect” (DEE) behaviour as evolutionary attributes that would reduce the energy consumption. Ten points located 100 m apart inside the Sic Reedbeds wetland were selected. In each point the acoustic reactions to spontaneous and playback of territorial Water Rail’s call were counted for three days (18, 19 and 20 April 2011), between 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.. A statistically significant difference was found between the number of songs recorded after spontaneous activity and the number of calls recorded after playback. The results argues the hypothesis that individuals of this species recognize their neighbours and react less aggressively towards them. Moreover, our findings indicated that response to neighbours’ calls follows a constant trajectory during the first or second half of the minute while the reaction towards foreigners is significantly losing intensity during the second half of the minute. The results suggest that the NSD and DEE are expressed in the Water Rail behaviour. Stermin et al (PDF

Multiple impact assessment and water quality based on diatom, benthic invertebrate and fish communities in the Arieș River catchment area (Transylvania, Romania)

The present paper represents an assessment of human impacts affecting the Arieș River catchment area, a region heavily affected by the mining  industry documented in the middle river course (Roșia Montană, Abrud, Roșia Poieni) since the Roman period. Other important impacts in the study area were: eutrophication / organic pollution due to discharges of untreated domestic wastes of villages and towns from the region; river regularization works, wood exploitation and processing facilities and industrial wastes downstream Turda and Câmpia Turzii localities. Water quality evaluation was carried out using river biotic communities recommended by the European legislation (Water Framework Directive, WFD): diatoms, benthic invertebrates and fish. Twenty-three sampling sites were considered along the Arieș River main course and its main tributaries, and standardized methods were employed for sampling and processing of biological data. Benthic invertebrates prooved to be the most sensitive community, indicating disturbed ecological status downstream the mining-affected region mainly due to high contamination of river sediments. While ichthyofauna responses were moderate (with water quality classes usually ranging from high to moderate), diatoms reflected better the effects of eutrophication / organic pollution caused by human settlements. Battes et al 2018 (PDF

The response of aquatic fauna to variable environmental conditions in Ghețarul de la Vârtop cave (Apuseni Natural Park, Romania)

Caves with permanent and temporary ice formations exists at mid-to-high northern latitudes, at elevations between 0 and >3000 meters above sea level. In such caves, rare and endemic species or glacial relicts strictly tied to cold microclimates habitat conditions have evolved and the negative temperatures have contributed significantly in shaping the structural pattern of both terrestrial and aquatic communities. Aquatic dwellers inhabiting ice caves are likely to show resistance and have special physiological adaptation to cope with constantly low air and water temperatures. Ghețarul de la Vârtop cave is a short (340 m) cave located in the Apuseni Natural Park (northwest Romania) that hosts temporary ice formations near its entrance. In 2021, we have initiated a study aiming to understand how low temperatures in the cave are shaping the structure of underground fauna, along a temperature gradient through the cave. The sampling design imply monthly monitoring of air temperature (hourly measurements using data loggers), water physical and chemical characteristics and the structure of aquatic fauna communities. In this paper we present preliminary data on the environmental conditions and aquatic invertebrate communities present in percolation water and associated gours from the cave. Aquatic fauna is represented by nematodes, oligochaetes and several crustacean species the majority stygobites, of which at least three are potentially new to science. The surprising presence of Acanthocyclops reductus, considered a Tertiary relict living in warm water raises discussions on its tolerance to highly variable temperatures but also on the colonisation history of the caves on a regional scale. Investigations of cave aquatic fauna in caves with permanent and temporary ice offer hints to understand the ecology of the fauna, and also to further assess the mechanisms involved in adaptations of species to cope with constantly low-water temperatures