Abstract
Phosphorus (PO4-P) and nitrogen (NH4-N) excretion rates of Euchlanis dilatata lucksiana, a rotifer, isolated from Lake Loosdrecht (The Netherlands) and cultured in the lake water at 18–19 °C, were measured in the laboratory.
In a series of experiments, the effects of experiment duration on the P and N excretion rates were examined. The rates measured in the first half-hour were about 2 times higher for P and 2–4 times for N than the rates in the subsequent three successive hours which were quite comparable.
Eight experiments were carried out in triplicate, 4 each for P and N excretion measurements, using animals of two size ranges: 60–125 µm and > 125 µm. The specific excretion rates varied from 0.06 to 0.18 µg P.mg−1 DW.h−1 and 0.21 to 0.76 µg N.mg−1 DW.h−1. Generally an inverse relationship was observed between the specific excretion rates and the mean individual weight. The excretion rates of Euchlanis measured by us are lower than those reported for several other rotifer species, most of which are much smaller than Euchlanis.
Extrapolating the excretion rates of Euchlanis to the other rotifer species in Lake Loosdrecht, and accounting for their density, size and temperature, rotifer excretion appears to be a significant, potential nutrient (N,P) source for phytoplankton growth in the lake. The excretion rates for the rotifers appear to be about two thirds of the total zooplankton excretion, even though the computed rotifer mean biomass is about one-third of the total zooplankton biomass.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Blažka, P., Z. Brandl & L. Procházková, 1982. Oxygen consumption and phosphate excretion in pond zooplankton. Limnol. Oceanogr. 27: 294–303.
Bottrell, H. H., A. Duncan, Z. M. Gliwicz, E. Grygierek, A. Herzig, A. Hillbricht Ilkowska, H. Kurasawa, P. Larrson & T. Weglenska, 1976. A review of some problems in zooplankton production studies. Norw. J. Zool. 24: 419–456.
Den Oude, P. & R. D. Gulati, 1988. Phosphorus and nitrogen excretion rates of zooplankton from the eutrophic Loosdrecht lakes, with notes on other P sources for phytoplankton requirements. Hydrobiologia 169: 379–390.
Dumont, H. J., I. van de Velde & S. Dumont, 1975. The dry weight estimate of biomass in a selection of Cladocera, Copepoda and Rotifera from the plankton, perifyton and benthos of continental waters. Oecologia 19: 75–97.
Ejsmont-Karabin, J., 1983. Ammonia nitrogen and inorganic phosphorus excretion by the planktonic rotifers. Hydrobiologia 104: 231–236.
Ejsmont-Karabin, J., 1984. Phosphorus and nitrogen excretion by zooplankton (rotifers and crustaceans) in relation to individual bodyweights of the animals, ambient temperature and presence or absence of food. Ekol. pol. 32: 3–42.
Ejsmont-Karabin, J., R. D. Gulati & J. Rooth, 1989. Is food availability the main factor controlling Euchlanis dilatata lucksiana Hauer abundance in a shallow, hypertrophic lake? Hydrobiologia, 186/187: 29–34.
Ejsmont-Karabin, J., L. Bownik-Dylinska &W. A. Godlewska-Lipowa, 1983. Biotic structure and processes in the lake system of R. Jorka Watershed (Masurian Lakeland, Poland). VII. Phosphorus and nitrogen regeneration by zooplankton as the mechanism of the nutrient supplying for bacterio- and phytoplankton. Ekol. pol. 31: 719–746.
Gulati, R. D., in press. Zooplankton structure in Loosdrecht lakes in relation to the trophic status and the recent restoration measures. Hydrobiologia.
Gulati, R. D., J. Rooth & J. Ejsmont-Karabin, 1987. A laboratory study of feeding and assimilation in Euchlanis dilatata lucksiana. Hydrobiologia 147: 289–296.
Ikeda, T., 1971. Changes in respiration rate and in composition of organic matter in Calanus cristatus (Crustacea, Copepoda) under starvation. Bull. Fac. Fish. Hokkaido Univ. 21: 280–298.
Lehman, J. T. & T. Naumoski, 1985. Content and turnover of phosphorus in Daphnia pulex: Effect of food quality. Hydrobiologia 128: 119–125.
Le Borgne, R. P., 1979. Influence of duration of incubation on zooplankton respiration and excretion results. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 37: 127–137.
Mayzaud, P., 1976. Respiration and nitrogen excretion of zooplankton. IV. The influence of starvation on the metabolism and biochemical composition of some species. Mar. Biol. 37: 47–58.
Murphy, J. & J. P. Riley, 1962. A modified single solution method for the determination of phosphate in natural waters. Anal. Chim. Acta 27: 31–36.
Peters, R. & D. Lean, 1973. The characterization of soluble phosphorus released by limnetic zooplankton. Limnol. Oceanogr. 18: 270–279.
Procházková, L., 1964. Spectrophotometric determinations of ammonia as rubazoic acid with bispyrazolone reagent. Anal. Chem. 365: 865–871.
Ruttner-Kolisko, A., 1972. Rotatoria. In: Das Zooplankton der Binnengewässer Teil 1. Schweizerbart, Stuttgart, 1972. (Series) Die Binnengewässer 26 Teil 1. P 99–234.
Ruttner-Kolisko, A., 1977. Suggestions for biomass calculation of plankton rotifers. Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih. 8: 71–76.
Stephens, K., 1963. Determinations of low phosphate concentrations in lake and marine waters. Limnol. Oceanogr. 8: 361–362.
Van Liere, L., R. D. Gulati, F. G. Wortelboer & E. H. R. R. Lammens, in press. Phosphorus dynamics following restoration measures in Loosdrecht lakes. Hydrobiologia.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gulati, R.D., Ejsmont-Karabin, J., Rooth, J. et al. A laboratory study of phosphorus and nitrogen excretion of Euchlanis dilatata lucksiana . Hydrobiologia 186, 347–354 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00048931
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00048931