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Vol. 51 No. 3, 2012
Spatiotemporal Variations in Abundance and Biomass of
Planktonic Ciliates Related to Environmental Variables in a Temporal
Pond, Argentina
Gabriela
C. Küppers* and María C. Claps
Instituto
de Limnología Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet (CCT-La Plata CONICET), Av.
Calchaquí Km 23.5, (1888) Florencio Varela, Buenos Aires Province,
Argentina
Gabriela C. Küppers and María C.
Claps (2012) This report describes the
structure and seasonal dynamics of ciliated protozoa associated with
variations in physicochemical characteristics of the environment in a
temporary pond in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Plankton samples
were obtained, and physicochemical variables were measured monthly for
2 yr. In total, 50 planktonic ciliates were recorded. The highest
species richness occurred during the pond’s filling and stable-hydric
phases. Upon the pond’s desiccation, the number of ciliate species
decreased, with the lowest values being recorded in spring; while the
highest abundance and biomass values were observed before drought
periods. Ciliate diversity tended to be higher after a drought but
decreased with pond desiccation. Most ciliate species were rare and
found during filling periods. Vorticella
convallaria, Pelagostrobilidium
wilberti, and Coleps hirtus were dominant; Cyclidium glaucoma, Strobilidium caudatum, Pseudochilodonopsis piscatoris, Limnostrombidium viride, L. pelagicum, and Chilodonella sp. were common; and Pelagostrombidium mirabile and Rhabdostyla sp., an epibiont on
cladocerans, were occasional. The 1st axis and the sum of all axes in
the canonical correspondence analysis explained a significant portion
of the variance in the ciliate data. Autumn and winter samples were
grouped together corresponding to the highest conductivities, high
precipitation, and low temperatures, properties which characterized the
filling and stable-hydric periods. Species were mainly distributed
according to conductivity and temperature gradients along the 1st
canonical axis. The structure and temporal dynamics of planktonic
ciliates from this temporary pond varied with changes in the
physicochemical characteristics of the environment which were
determined by flooding and desiccation.
Key words: Ciliophora, Temporary water body,
Buenos Aires Province, Ecology.
*Correspondence: Tel: 54-11-42758564 ext. 35, 53. Fax:
54-11-42757799. E-mail:gkuppers@fcnym.unlp.edu.ar
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