Allocation of the diet of the Argentine Islands’ inshore ichthyofauna

Fish diets are important indicators of ecosystem change. This aspect of the ichthyofauna of the coast of the Argentine Islands has been insufficiently studied in comparison with other regions. This article presents the results of comparison of dietary and somatic parameters of the dominant species Notothenia coriiceps depending on the point, depth and season of catch. The sample was collected between February 2006 and February 2007. In the year of study, N. coriiceps, Trematomus bernacchii, Chaenocephalus aceratus (common species), Harpagifer antarcticus and Pagothenia borchgrevinki (rare species in this region) were caught. The average fish size in this region does not differ from other places in the Southern Ocean. In Cornice Channel and Stella Creek, N. coriiceps was smaller than at other points due to the narrowness and shallow depth of these places. In winter, large individuals apparently migrated from the coast. The diet of N. coriiceps consisted mainly of crustaceans and seaweeds, with a small number of mollusks (especially limpets), which are common. The number of fish in the diet of N. coriiceps is relatively low for this region. Access to food was relatively the same at different points and depths of the catch. The lowest amount of food was in the fall, the highest amount of food was in the spring and summer. The condition and hepatosomatic index also did not change depending on the point and depth of the catch, but they were low in spring and high in summer. Perhaps this is due to the low energy value of food, which is not compensated by the amount. It is necessary to conduct studies of the diet of N. coriiceps in other years to clarify the specificity of fish in the diet and phenological changes in somatic parameters. Similar studies are needed for other species in the region if catches are sufficient to collect a representative sample

SPATIAL-TEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF LITTORAL ZOOPLANKTON COMMUNITY OF THE OLEKSANDRIVKA RESERVOIR

The analysis results of spatio-temporal dynamics of zooplankton communities from littoral of the Oleksandrivka reservoir are presented. The features of the seasonal changes in species composition, faunal and ecological spectrums, quantitative indicators (density and biomass) and the dominant species complexes of littoral zooplankton was revealed. The analysis of seasonal dynamics of qualitative and quantitative development of zooplankton in the littoral zone within the upper, middle and lower parts of the Oleksandrivka reservoir was conducted

Часова динаміка угруповань зоопланктону різнотипних водойм Ічнянського національного природного парку

In recent decades, the influence of anthropogenic impact on aquatic ecosystems has increased. This has led to a restructuring of aquatic ecosystems and affected the structural and functional organization of groups of aquatic organisms, causing qualitative and quantitative changes. Particular attention is drawn to the different types of water bodies of protected areas like IchnyanskyNational Park, which is located in Ichnyansky district of Chernihiv region. This park is a newly created one, so the reduction in intensity of anthropogenic pressure can be traced within its waters. Zooplankton plays an important role in the functioning of trophic networks because it transfers energy from producers and primary consumers to young fish and planktonophagous fish. Therefore, three main groups of zooplankton were chosen as the object of study: rotifers (class Eurotatoria), cladocerans (class Branchiopoda, order Cladocera), different age stages of copepods (class Copepoda), and also ostracods (Class Ostracoda). The zooplankton used as research material was collected in the daytime in spring (April), summer (late July – early August) and autumn (late September – early October) in the years 2015–2016 from ten experimental stations. During this period 81 species of zooplankton were recorded within heterogeneous reservoirs of IchnianskyNational Park. Monogonont rotifers (subclass Monogononta) included 35 species (43% of all species) and bdelloid rotifers (subclass Bdelloidea), cladocerns, comprised 28 species (35%), and copepods included 18 species (22%). The faunal range of zooplankton over different years and seasons was characterized by the predominance of the rotator complex in spring, rotator-cladocerans and cladocerans in summer, and of the cladocerans complex in autumn. This was due to the formation during spring and summer of favourable conditions in the waters for filter feeders, which consist generally of rotifers and cladocerans. In autumn the water released large amounts of organic matter that caused a reduction in the species diversity of rotifers. Zooplankton also is characterized by the considerable ecological diversity. The range of environmental groups of zooplankton over two years was characterized by a predominance of the pelagic and benthic group of phytophiles. Pelagic representatives included 35 (43%) of 81 species, the bottom group – 20 (25%), phytophiles – 26 (32%). Rotifers dominated in the pelagic group – 18 (51%) species out of 35, and cladocerans – among the bottom group – 10 (50%) species out of 20. Zooplankton species also are distinguished by their feeding type. They represented three trophic groups: peaceful – 64 (79%) out of 81 species, omnivorous – 6 (7%) and predators – 11 (14%). Quantitative indicators of zooplankton at most stations in different seasons were defined as “very low” (less than 5,000 ind./m3 and less than 0.3 g/m3), “low” (5,000–50,000 ind./m3 and 0.3–1.0 g/m3), “below average” (5,000–50,000 ind./m3 and 0.3–1.0 g/m3) rates, occasionally – "average" (51–250,000 ind./m3 and 1.1–5.0 g/m3), “medium high” (501,000–1,000,000 ind./m3 and 1.1–5.0 g/m3). High densities of zooplankton were recorded in spring for a temporary reservoir and amounted to 3,016,000 ind./m3. Уперше проведено гідробіологічні дослідження на території Ічнянського національного природного парку. Представлено результати аналізу міжрічної та сезонної динаміки зоопланктону різнотипних водойм за 2015–2016 роки. Встановлено видове багатство зоопланктону в межах 10 дослідних станцій, яке представлене 81 видом коловерток, гіллястовусих і веслоногих ракоподібних. За фауністичним спектром угруповання зоопланктону за два роки переважали представники ротаторно-кладоцерного комплексу. Розраховано індекс Жаккара для визначення подібності видового складу зоопланктону, який підтвердив невисоку подібність видового багатства між 2015 та 2016 роками J – 45,7%. Проаналізовано основні екологічні показники угруповань зоопланктону: екологічний спектр, трофічний спектр, щільність та біомасу. Найвищі показники щільності характерні для весняного угруповання зоопланктону (3 016 000 екз./м3) тимчасової водойми.

The Uday river’s littoral zooplankton in the region of the national nature park «Pyriatynskiy»

Уперше проведено еколого-фауністичний аналіз літорального зоопланктону середньої ділянки р. Удай. Дослідження проведені як складова частина обґрунтування створення у цьому регіоні Національного природного парку «Пирятинський». Встановлено видове різноманіття літорального зоопланктону шести дослідних станцій на р. Удай. Виявлено особливості біотопічного розподілу зоопланктону влітку у денні години. Охарактеризовано біотопічний розподіл зоопланктону різних станцій, основні екологічні показники популяцій зоопланктону (щільність і біомасу). Впервые проведен эколого-фаунистический анализ литорального зоопланктона среднего участка р. Удай. Исследования проведены как составная часть обоснования создания в этом районе Национального природного парка «Пирятинский». Установлено видовое разнообразие литорального зоопланктона шести исследованных станций на р. Удай. Выявлены особенности биотопического распределения зоопланктона в дневные летние часы. Дана сравнительная характеристика биотопического распределения зоопланктона разных станций. Охарактеризованы основные экологические показатели популяций зоопланктона (плотность и биомасса). The ecological-faunistic analysis of the littoral zooplankton of the middle part of the Uday River has been performed for the first time. The research was conducted to confirm a reason to create the National Nature Park «Pyriatynskiy» in this region. The species diversity of the littoral zooplankton obtained from six scientific stations on the Uday River was established. The specific features of the zooplankton’s distribution in biotopes in summer days were revealed. The comparative description of biotopical distribution of zooplankton of different stations is presented. The basic ecological indices of zooplankton populations (density and biomass) were determined.

Сезонна динаміка угруповань прибережного зоопланктону річки Удай у межах Національного природного парку «Пирятинський»

The increase in anthropogenic impact on aquatic ecosystems causes significant alterations in the composition and structure of hydrobiont groups. These processes are characteristic of the hydrobiocenoses of the Uday River, the valley of which lies within the National Nature Park "Pyryatynsky", established in 2009 in the Pyryatyn district of Poltava region. Within this protected area it is convenient to carry out continuous monitoring of changes in anthropogenic load on shore ecosystems of the river. One of the most convenient monitoring groups is zooplankton, which is one of the essential components of the trophic networks of aquatic ecosystems and which is the feeding basis of planktonophagous and young fish. The object of this research was the major groups of zooplankton: rotifers (class Eurotatoria), cladocerans (class Branchiopoda, order Cladocera), different age stages of copepods (class Copepoda), ostracods (class Ostracoda). Zooplankton were collected in the daytime in spring (mid April), summer (end of July) and autumn (late September) 2016 within eight research stations. As a result of the conducted research, 69 species of zooplankton were registered within the littoral water area of the Uday River. Monogonont rotifers numbered 19 (27.5%) species, bdelloid rotifers (subclass Bdelloidea), cladocerans – 33 (47.9%) species, copepods – 17 (24.6%). According to the faunal spectrum in the zooplankton groups, representatives of the cladoceran complex predominated. This is due to the favourable conditions for the development of filtrators, of which a considerable part is cladocerans. Three species of rotifers were identified in Poltava region for the first time: Beauchampiella eudactylota (Gosse, 1886), Dipleuchlanis propatula (Gosse, 1886), Mytilina acanthophora (Hauer, 1938). During the spring, 33 species of zooplankton were collected: rotifers – 10 species, cladocerans – 14, copepods – 9 species. In summer 41 species were registered, including rotifers – 10, cladocerans – 18, and copepods – 13. In autumn 37 species were found: 6 species of rotifers, cladocerans – 21 and copepods – 10. The species composition of the zooplankton in different seasons had a low similarity, as evidenced by Jaccard index: spring and autumn (J = 25.4), spring and autumn (J = 34.5), and summer and autumn (J = 34.6). In the spring, pelagic (36.3%) and phytophilic (45.6%) groups prevailed, and phytophilic dominated in summer (41.4%) and autumn (48.7%). Of the various groups classified according to feeding type, representatives of the peaceful group dominated in all the studied seasons, in spring comprising 69.7%, in summer – 65.8%, and in autumn – 73%. The density and biomass of zooplankton of the Uday River were “low” in spring and summer, and "very low" – in autumn. Наведено результати аналізу сезонної динаміки угруповань зоопланктону річки Удай в межах Національного природного парку «Пирятинський» за 2016 рік. Видове багатство у межах восьми дослідних станцій представлене 69 видами моногононтних коловерток, гіллястовусих і веслоногих ракоподібних. Уперше для Полтавської області визначено три види коловерток: Beauchampiellaeudactylota (Gosse, 1886), Dipleuchlanispropatula (Gosse, 1886), MytilinaacanthophoraHauer, 1938. Максимальне видове багатство (41 вид) зареєстровано влітку, що пов’язано з бурхливим розвитком макрофітів (і оптимальною для них температурою). Протягом трьох сезонів за фауністичним спектром в угрупованнях зоопланктону переважали представники кладоцерного комплексу. Виявлено невисокі значення індексу видової схожості Жаккара для різносезонних угруповань зоопланктону: J = 25,4–34,6. Проаналізовано сезонні зміни основних екологічних показників угруповань зоопланктону: екологічний спектр, тип живлення, щільність, біомаса. В угрупованнях зоопланктону протягом року відбулася зміна домінантної пелагічної групи на фітофільну. Для таких водойм, як річка Удай, класичним виявився трофічний спектр угруповань зоопланктону, представлений трьома групами, значний відсоток з яких склали мирні представники: весна – 69,7%, літо – 65,8%, осінь – 73,0%. Навесні в межах зарослого біотопу та на чистоводді відмічено найвищі показники щільності та біомаси.

The Complex Studying of Antarctic Biota

Results of five year period of Argentina islands region Antarctic biota complex investigations are described. There were described 41 algae new for the Galindez island biogeografical polygon territory. Check-list of terrestrial algae now consists of 57 species belongs to 3 phyla.Стаття присвячена результатам п'ятирічного комплексного вивчення антарктичної біоти в районі Аргентинських островів. У результаті проведених досліджень систематичний список наземних водоростей біогеографічного полігону на острові Галіндез поповнився на 41 таксон видового рангу і включає 57 видів з трьох відділів

Antarctic bdelloid rotifers: diversity, endemism and evolution

Antarctica is an isolated continent whose conditions challenge the survival of living organisms. High levels of endemism are now known in many Antarctic organisms, including algae, tardigrades, nematodes and microarthropods. Bdelloid rotifers are a key, widespread and abundant group of Antarctic microscopic invertebrates. However, their diversity, regional distribution and endemism have received little attention until recently. We provide the first authoritative review on Antarctic Bdelloidea, based on published data and new collections. Our analysis reveals the extreme levels of bdelloid endemism in Antarctica. Sixty-six bdelloid morphospecies are now confirmed from the continent, and 83–91 putative species are identified using molecular approaches (depending on the delimitation method used). Twelve previously unknown species are described based on both morphology and molecular analyses. Molecular analyses indicate that only two putative species found in Antarctica proved to be truly cosmopolitan. The level of endemism based on the available data set (95%) is higher than that in any other continent, with many bdelloid species occurring only in maritime or continental Antarctica. These findings are consistent with the long-term presence of Bdelloidea in Antarctica, with their considerable isolation facilitating intraregional radiation, providing further evidence that does not support the microbial global ubiquity hypothesis that “everything is everywhere.

SUCCESSION OF LITTORAL ZOOPLANKTON COMMUNITIES OF THE BAKSHALYNSKE RESERVOIR

Purpose. The most pressing current environmental issues of scientific research include the studies of ecosystems altered by human impact. Aquatic ecosystems are important for the stable functioning of communal, industrial, agricultural and energy sectors. One of the typical examples of human impact on aquatic ecosystems is the transformation of river systems in the cascades of reservoirs. In southern Ukraine, there is a South Ukrainian energy complex, for the optimization of functioning of which the lower part of the Bakshala river was transformed into the Bakshalinske reservoir. The aim of this work was to study the succession of changes that occur in the reservoir using the littoral zooplankton communities as an example. These aquatic organisms are basic ecological group, sensitive to changes in their habitats. Methodology. When collecting and preserving samples of littoral zooplankton and its subsequent processing and analysis in the laboratory, we used both the standard methods and an original method of the standardization of the selection of monitoring stations depending on the type and size of the reservoir. Findings. The paper examines the peculiarities of succession processes in a small canyon-shaped Bakshalynske reservoir at different stages of the formation and functioning of its biota. The peculiarities of the succession of zooplanktonic cenoses in this reservoir were investigated by analyzing the changes in species diversity, faunal, ecological and trophic spectra, quantitative indicators, dominant communities and complexes of littoral zooplanktonic species. Originality. The data on zooplankton and other groups of aquatic organisms for the Bakshalynske reservoir are absent, so all provided data are original and have a scientific novelty. In addition, when collecting the material, we used new methodological approaches regarding the standardization of the selection of monitoring stations depending on the type and size of the reservoir. Practical value. This work is the only source of information on succession changes caused by the creation of the Bakshalynske reservoir in the lower reaches of the Bakshala River. The reservoir is a part of the Southern energy complex reservoirs. Therefore, the study of the current state of the reservoir ecosystem with the aim of the identification of optimum conditions for their functioning and development, contributes to the energy security of Ukraine

Species diversity and seasonal dynamics of littoral zooplankton community structures of Bakshalynske reservoir

The results of current state of species diversity and seasonal dynamics of littoral zooplankton community structures in Bakshalynske reservoir are presented. New approaches are applied to establish the monitoring stations, and the state of m­e­thods of sampling are used in regard to the type and size of the studied artificial waterbodies. The modern trend of formation of the littoral zooplankton species diversity, all species registered for the first time in Bakshalynske reservoir. The analysis of faunal and ecological spectra littoral zooplankton, its biotopical and spatial distributions are presented. The most important grouping of species diversity in freshwater zooplankton was disco­vered. The results of analysis of seasonal dynamics of littoral zooplankton communities in the spring, summer and autumn in 2010 are shown. Seasonal changes in species diversity, faunal and ecological spectra biotopical and spatial distributions of quantitative indicators (density and biomass) littoral zooplankton were analyzed. The composition complex littoral zooplankton dominant in quantitative terms was also studied. It was found that its community included 11 species, 4 species of rotifers, 5 species of cladocera crustaceans and 2 types of copepods crustaceans