Effect of sampling effort and sampling frequency on the composition of the planktonic crustacean assemblage: a case study of the river Danube

Although numerous studies have focused on the seasonal dynamics of riverine zooplankton, little is known about its short-term variation. In order to examine the effects of sampling frequency and sampling effort, microcrustacean samples were collected at daily intervals between 13 June and 21 July of 2007 in a parapotamal side arm of the river Danube, Hungary. Samples were also taken at biweekly intervals from November 2006 to May 2008. After presenting the community dynamics, the effect of sampling effort was evaluated with two different methods; the minimal sample size was also estimated. We introduced a single index (potential dynamic information loss; to determine the potential loss of information when sampling frequency is reduced. The formula was calculated for the total abundance, densities of the dominant taxa, adult/larva ratios of copepods and for two different diversity measures. Results suggest that abundances may experience notable fluctuations even within 1 week, as do diversities and adult/larva ratios

Carbon sources supporting a diverse fish community in a tropical coastal ecosystem (Gazi Bay, Kenya)

Interlinked mangrove–seagrass ecosystems are characteristic features of many tropical coastal areas, where they act as feeding and nursery grounds for a variety of fishes and invertebrates. The autotrophic carbon sources supporting fisheries in Gazi bay (Kenya) were studied in three sites, two located in the tidal creeks flowing through extensive mangrove forests, another site located in the subtidal seagrass meadows, approximately 2.5 km away from the forest. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope composition of 42 fish species, 2 crustacean species and a range of potential primary food sources (e.g., mangroves, seagrasses and epiphytes, macroalgae) were analysed. There was considerable overlap in the δ13C signatures between fish (−16.1 ± 2.1‰), seagrasses (−15.1 ± 3.0‰), seagrass epiphytes (−13.6 ± 3.3‰), and macroalgae (−20.4 ± 3.1‰). Nevertheless, the signatures for most primary producers were sufficiently distinct to indicate that the dominant carbon sources for fish were mainly derived from the seagrass and their associated epiphytic community, and possibly macroalgae. Mangrove-derived organic matter contributes only marginally to the overall fish food web. Carbon supporting these fish communities was derived directly through grazing by herbivorous and some omnivorous fishes, or indirectly through the benthic food web. Fishes from the mangrove creeks had distinctly lower δ13C signatures (−16.8 ± 2.0‰) compared to those collected in the adjacent seagrass beds (−14.7 ± 1.7‰). This indicated that these habitats were used as distinct sheltering and feeding zones for the fishes collected, with minimal degree of exchange within the fish communities despite their regular movement pattern.

Autotrophic carbon sources for fish communities in a tropical coastal ecosystem (Gazi bay, Kenya)

Interlinked mangrove-seagrass ecosystems are characteristic features of many tropical coastal areas, where they act as feeding and nursery grounds for a variety of fishes and invertebrates. The autotrophic carbon sources supporting fisheries in Gazi bay (Kenya) were studied in three sites, two located in the tidal creeks flowing through extensive mangrove forests, another site located in the subtidal seagrass meadows, approximately 2.5 km away from the forest. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope composition of 42 fish species, 2 crustacean species and a range of potential primary food sources (e.g., mangroves, seagrasses and epiphytes, macroalgae) were analysed. There was considerable overlap in the delta C-13 signatures between fish (-16.1 +/- 2.17 parts per thousand), seagrasses (-15.1 +/- 3.07 parts per thousand), seagrass epiphytes (-13.6 +/- 3.3 parts per thousand), and macroalgae (-20.4 +/- 3.1 parts per thousand). Nevertheless, the signatures for most primary producers were sufficiently distinct to indicate that the dominant carbon sources for fish were mainly derived from the seagrass and their associated epiphytic community, and possibly macroalgae. Mangrove-derived organic matter contributes only marginally to the overall fish food web. Carbon supporting these fish communities was derived directly through grazing by herbivorous and some omnivorous fishes, or indirectly through the benthic food web. Fishes from the mangrove creeks had distinctly lower delta C-13 signatures (-16.8 +/- 2.0 parts per thousand) compared to those collected in the adjacent seagrass beds (-14.7 +/- 1.77 parts per thousand). This indicated that these habitats were used as distinct sheltering and feeding zones for the fishes collected, with minimal degree of exchange within the fish communities despite their regular movement pattern. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.status: publishe

Zooplankton of Lake Kivu

peer reviewedThe dominant species of the crustacean plankton in Lake Kivu are the cyclopoid copepods Thermocyclops consimilis and Mesocyclops aequatorialis and the cladoceran Diaphanosoma excisum. Mean crustacean biomass over the period 2003–2004 was 0.99 g C m−2. The seasonal dynamics closely followed variations of chlorophyll a concentration and responded well to the dry season phytoplankton peak. The mean annual crustacean production rate was 23 g C m−2 year−1. The mean trophic transfer efficiency between phytoplankton and herbivorous zooplankton was equal to 6.8 %, indicating a coupling between both trophic levels similar to that in other East African Great lakes. These observations suggest a predominant bottom-up control of plankton dynamics and biomass in Lake Kivu. Whereas the present biomass of crustacean plankton in Lake Kivu is comparable to that of other African Rift lakes, the zooplankton biomass before Limnothrissa introduction was 2.6 g C m−2, based on estimation from available historical data. So, if the sardine introduction in the middle of the last century led to a threefold decrease of zooplankton biomass, it did not affect zooplankton production to a level which would lead to the collapse of the food web and of the fishery