Taxonomic composition and biomass of heterotrophic flagellates in relation to lake trophy and season

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2427.2001.00730.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-11T21:28:03Z
• Authors: Brigitte Auer; Hartmut Arndt
• Keywords: Trophy; Incertae sedis

1. Taxonomic composition and abundance of heterotrophic flagellates (HF) were studied in 55 lakes with different trophy northern Germany using a live‐counting technique. 2. Mean abundances biomasses HF ranged from 169 cells L −1 22 μg mesotrophic to 2439 mL –1 475 hypertrophic lakes, respectively. Highest values generally observed spring, but showed maximum early summer. 3. The taxonomic was not significantly influenced by lake season. major fraction consisted chrysomonads Protista incertae sedis; other important groups choanoflagellates bicosoecids. size distribution changed season, higher proportion large (> 10 μm) 4. Correlation analyses revealed strong negative impact cladocerans on total biomass especially HF. Ciliates bacteria strongly positively correlated biomass; small (< 2 weak positive correlation. 5. Analyses at the level species genera distinct patterns some taxa. Paraphysomonas , Aulacomonas Quadricilia as large‐bodied highest spring. Attached taxa (e.g. Monosiga Salpingoeca amphoridium ) highly abundant late summer autumn, whereas Spumella Kathablepharis occurred frequently most samples.