A5027946568- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Marine and coastal ecosystems
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Parasitic infections in humans and animals
- Plant and animal studies
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Water Quality Monitoring Technologies
- Ocean Acidification Effects and Responses
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
Estación Biológica de Doñana
2023-2025
Wasser Cluster Lunz
2018-2023
Universität Innsbruck
2021-2022
University of Vienna
2018-2019
University of Belgrade
2016
Abstract Aim Waterbirds are important dispersal vectors of multicellular organisms; however, no study to date has focused on their potential role in dispersing aquatic microbial communities. We explicitly studied endozoochory prokaryotes and unicellular microeukaryotes by waterbirds using DNA metabarcoding. By directly comparing the dispersed set organisms source pool a natural metacommunity, we aimed at realistic estimate importance waterbird zoochory for Location Temporary saline soda pans...
The infamous "master manipulators"-intracellular bacteria of the genus Wolbachia-infect a broad range phylogenetically diverse invertebrate hosts in terrestrial ecosystems. Wolbachia has an important impact on ecology and evolution their host with documented effects including induced parthenogenesis, male killing, feminization, cytoplasmic incompatibility. Nonetheless, data infections non-terrestrial invertebrates are scarce. Sampling bias methodological limitations some reasons limiting...
Determining molecular markers for parasites provides a useful tool their identification, particularly larval stages with few distinguishable diagnostic characters. Avian cestodes play key role in the food webs and biodiversity of hypersaline wetlands, yet they remain understudied. Using naturally infected Artemia, we identified cestode larvae (cysticercoids), assessed genetic diversity, explored phylogenetic relationships relation to morphology waterbird final hosts. We obtained partial 18S...
Dispersal is essential for all organisms to enable colonization of new areas. Like many other aquatic invertebrates, Anostraca (Crustacea) disperse passively as dormant fertilized eggs. Here, we first study the genetic diversity Branchinecta fairy shrimps (identified morphologically B. readingi) inhabiting lakes in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, Canada. Secondly, attempt reconstruct phylogeny dispersal events that explain their distribution. Finally, compare distribution sp. Artemia...
Growing evidence suggests that global climate change promotes the dominance of mixotrophic algae especially in oligotrophic aquatic ecosystems. While theory predicts mixotrophy increases trophic transfer efficiency food webs, deleterious effects some mixotrophs on consumers have also been reported. Here, using a widespread algal genus Dinobryon, we aimed to quantify how colonial taxa contribute secondary production lakes. We, therefore, studied dietary Dinobryon divergens Cladocera (Daphnia...
<p>Zooplankton in temporary waters produces resting stages to survive recurrent dry periods. Branchiopod crustaceans (i.e., cladocerans, large branchiopods) overcome these periods the form of eggs buried sediment. Examining diversity egg banks allows for a more accurate estimation biodiversity aquatic ecosystems than looking only at active communities. The isolation from sediment may be achieved by sugar flotation method, which usually results higher density and untreated samples...
Abstract Intense anthropogenic disturbance threatens temporary pond ecosystems and their associated fauna across the Palearctic. Since fairy shrimps (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) are endemic to ponds, populations declining due habitat loss it is important define adequate units for conservation. Phylogeographic reconstructions, based on genetic variation, provide valuable information defining evolutionary conservation units, especially organisms with high levels of cryptic diversity like many...
Anostracans are key elements of temporary ponds, due to the high abundance and importance as food for waterbirds. Except a few large species, they generally considered be herbivorous filter feeders. However, this assumption is not supported by empirical data. In fact, there lack quantitative experimental studies on their trophic role in webs waters. Here, we briefly revise available data about feeding spectrum anostracans. Moreover, present behaviour species soda pans, Branchinecta...
Abstract Predicting the performance of aquatic organisms in a future warmer climate depends critically on understanding how current temperature regimes affect organisms' growth rates. Using meta‐analysis for published experimental data, we calculated activation energy ( E ) to parameterize thermal sensitivity marine and freshwater ciliates, major players food webs. We hypothesized that their rates increase with but ciliates dwelling immense, thermally stable ocean are closely adapted ambient...
Abstract Very little is known about the feeding of naupliar and juvenile life stages omnivorous fairy shrimps (Crustacea: Anostraca). Here, we aim to reveal whether shrimp Branchinecta orientalis an ontogenetic omnivore at which age stage they gain ability feed on zooplankton. We assess how food uptake rates change with until reaching maturity by providing algae (pico- nanoplanktonic unicellular algae) zooplankton (rotifers copepod nauplii) as in individual experiments. found that B. started...
Abstract Omnivory is widespread in food webs, with an important stabilising effect. The strength of omnivorous trophic interactions may change considerably changes the local environment. Shallow temporary waters are often characterised by high levels inorganic turbidity that directly limit uptake filter‐feeding organisms, but there little evidence on how it might affect species. Anostracans key species and recent suggests these organisms consumers both phyto‐ zooplankton. Using Branchinecta...
Abstract We studied the effect of volume in small containers (microcosms) on five common planktonic freshwater ciliates and three zooplankton species, namely Daphnia sp., calanoid copepod Eudiaptomus cyclopoid Cyclops sp. measured ciliate specific growth rates their loss due to microcrustacean predation short-term experiments. hypothesized that container ranging from 10 200 mL would not affect activity our prey predator species. found response was species-specific; species were sensitive...
Abstract Pleistocene glaciations had a tremendous impact on the biota across Palaearctic, resulting in strong phylogeographic signals of range contraction and rapid postglacial recolonization deglaciated areas. Here, we explore diversity patterns history two sibling species passively dispersing taxa typical temporary ponds, fairy shrimps (Anostraca). We combine mitochondrial (COI) nuclear (ITS2 18S) markers to conduct range-wide study including 56 populations Branchinecta ferox orientalis...
The infamous “master manipulators” – intracellular bacteria from the genus Wolbachia infect a broad range of phylogenetically diverse hosts in terrestrial ecosystems. have important impacts on ecology and evolution their with documented effects including induced parthenogenesis, male killing, feminization, cytoplasmic incompatibility. On other hand, data infection non-terrestrial invertebrates is scarce. Sampling bias methodological limitations are among reasons we unable to detect these...
Abstract Aim Waterbirds are important dispersal vectors of multicellular organisms such as macrophytes, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and zooplankton. However, no study to date has focused on their potential role in dispersing microbial communities (i.a., bacteria, algae, protozoa). Here, we explicitly studied passive transport (endozoochory) prokaryotes unicellular microeukaryotes by waterbirds based DNA metabarcoding approaches. By directly comparing the dispersed set source pool a natural...