Variations in body-size spectra of periphytic ciliates at different depths: a case study in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea
Mamun Abdullah Al A , Guangjian Xu A , Mohammad Nurul Azim Sikder A , Alan Warren B and Henglong Xu A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, PR China.
B Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD, UK.
C Corresponding author. Email: henglongxu@126.com
Marine and Freshwater Research 70(4) 576-584 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF18186
Submitted: 11 May 2018 Accepted: 21 September 2018 Published: 4 December 2018
Abstract
Body-size spectra are inherent characteristics of organisms that can be used to summarise the functional structure of a community and thus be used in both ecological studies and biomonitoring programs. In order to determine the effect of water depth on body-size spectra of marine periphytic ciliate communities, a 1-month baseline survey was conducted at four depths (1, 2, 3.5 and 5 m) in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea, northern China. Based on equivalent spherical diameters (ESD), 50 species were categorised into seven body-size ranks: S1, 2–17 μm; S2, 22–27 μm; S3, 29–36 μm; S4, 37–49 μm; S5, 53–71 μm; S6, 84–92 μm; S7, 127–153 μm. These seven body-size ranks were composed of four trophic functional groups: algivores (A), bacterivores (B), predators (R) and non-selectives (N). Body-size rank S1 was composed primarily of the B functional group; S2 was composed of the N and R functional groups, S3 and S4 were composed of the A, B and N functional groups, S5 and S6 were composed of the A functional group and S7 was composed of the R functional group. The medium body-size ranks (S4 and S5) were dominant at 1 and 2 m, whereas the smallest body-size rank (S1) was dominant at 3.5 and 5 m. Canonical analysis of principal coordinates revealed a clear vertical variation in body-size spectra at the four depths. Body-size diversity indices peaked at 2–3.5 m and fell sharply at 5 m. Body-size diversity indices peaked at 2–3.5 m and fell sharply at 5 m. Body-size distinctness, as measured by the paired-index (ellipse) test, showed an increasing trend of departure from the expected pattern from surface to deeper layers. These results suggest that the body-size spectra of periphytic ciliates may be significantly shaped by water depth and thus may be used as bioindicators of the ecological integrity and quality of water at different depths in marine ecosystems.
Additional keywords: body-size distinctness, body-size spectrum, marine ecosystems, water quality status.
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