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

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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