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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Ref ID : 1314

Ernst Mikschi; Rotifer distribution in relation to temperature and oxygen content. Hydrobiologia 186/187:209-214, 1989

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Lunzer Obersee, a small lake located at an altitude of 1100 m above see level, was investigated from July 1985 to October 1987. The rotifer community consists of 7 dominant species, 7 subdominant species and 34 species which occasionally occurred in the plankton. The dominant species show rather different demands in relation to temperature and oxygen content; e.g.: Filinia hofmanni was found at a wide range of oxygen concentrations (0.6-13.3 mgO2/l) and low temperatures (4-6 degrees C), living in the upper water layers (1-7 m) during spring and in the deeper, anoxic zone in summer. In contrast, Asplanchna priodonta was found at rather high oxygen contents (>9 mgO2/l), and showed a wide range of temperature tolerance (4-15 degrees C). On the basis of field data the temperature and oxygen requirements of several species are described and discussed.