Plankton ciliate community responses to different aquatic environments in Nan’ao Island, a representative mariculture base in the South China Sea
Fengxia Wu A , Ming Dai A , Honghui Huang A B and Zhanhui Qi A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Development and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 231 West Xingang Road, Guangzhou, 510300, PR China.
B Corresponding author. Email: huanghh@scsfri.ac.cn
Marine and Freshwater Research 70(3) 426-436 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF18153
Submitted: 9 April 2018 Accepted: 26 June 2018 Published: 25 October 2018
Abstract
The temporal variation and spatial distribution of plankton ciliate communities were investigated in Shen’ao Bay, South China Sea. In all, 35 species belonging to 17 genera and 7 orders were identified. The number of ciliate species was lower in spring than in summer, whereas ciliate abundance was higher in spring than in summer. Spatially, the number of ciliate species and ciliate abundance were higher in the oyster–algae mixed culture area and non-aquaculture area, and lower in the caged fish culture area. Multivariate and univariate analyses demonstrated that ciliate communities were associated with environmental factors (e.g. temperature, chlorophyll (Chl)-a, nutrient levels). In addition, two dominant species, namely Mesodinium rubrum and Tintinnopsis beroidea, were significantly positively correlated with Chl-a. Three dominant species, namely Strombidium globosaneum, Tintinnopsis minuta and Strombidium conicum, showed more sensitivity to dissolved oxygen, pH and chemical oxygen demand, whereas Tintinnopsis parvula and Tintinnopsis chinglanensis were significantly related to NO2–. Ciliate species diversity, species evenness and species richness were higher in the oyster–algae mixed culture area and non-aquaculture area and lower in the caged fish culture area. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that the ciliate community is significantly correlated with its aquatic habitat and the dominant species can be considered a favourable bioindicator of the marine water environment.
Additional keywords: community structure, environmental factors, multivariate analyses, Shen’ao Bay.
References
Azam, F., Fenchel, T., Field, J. G., Gray, J. S., Meyer-Reil, L. A., and Thingstad, F. (1983). The ecological role of water-column microbes in the sea. Marine Ecology Progress Series 10, 257–263.| The ecological role of water-column microbes in the sea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Balkis, N. (2004). Tintinnids (Protozoa: Ciliophora) of the Büyükçekmece Bay in the Sea of Marmara. Scientia Marina 68, 33–44.
| Tintinnids (Protozoa: Ciliophora) of the Büyükçekmece Bay in the Sea of Marmara.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bojanić, N., Šolić, M., Krstulović, N., Marasović, I., Ninčević, Ž., and Vidjak, O. (2001). Seasonal and vertical distribution of the ciliated protozoa and micrometazoa in Kaštela Bay (Central Adriatic). Helgoland Marine Research 55, 150–159.
| Seasonal and vertical distribution of the ciliated protozoa and micrometazoa in Kaštela Bay (Central Adriatic).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bongiorni, L., Maganini, M., Aemeni, M., Noble, R., and Danovaro, R. (2005). Viral production, decay and life strategies along a trophic gradient in the North Adriatic Sea. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 71, 6644–6650.
| Viral production, decay and life strategies along a trophic gradient in the North Adriatic Sea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Clarke, K. R., and Gorley, R. N. (2001). ‘PRIMER v5: User Manual/Tutorial.’ (PRIMER-E: Plymouth, UK.)
Gómez, F. (2007). Trends on the distribution of ciliates in the open Pacific Ocean. Acta Oecologica 32, 188–202.
| Trends on the distribution of ciliates in the open Pacific Ocean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hewson, I., O’Neil, J. M., Fuhrman, J. A., and Dennison, W. C. (2001). Virus-like particle distribution and abundance in sediment and overlying waters along eutrophication gradients in two subtropical estuaries. Limnology and Oceanography 46, 1734–1746.
| Virus-like particle distribution and abundance in sediment and overlying waters along eutrophication gradients in two subtropical estuaries.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ismael, A. A., and Dorgham, M. M. (2003). Ecological indices as a tool for assessing pollution in El-Dekhaila Harbour (Alexandria, Egypt). Oceanologia 45, 121–131.
Jan, S., Wang, J., Chern, C. S., and Chao, S. Y. (2002). Seasonal variation of the circulation in the Taiwan Strait. Journal of Marine Systems 35, 249–268.
| Seasonal variation of the circulation in the Taiwan Strait.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jiang, J., Wu, S., and Shen, Y. (2007). Effects of seasonal succession and water pollution on the protozoan community structure in a eutrophic lake. Chemosphere 66, 523–532.
| Effects of seasonal succession and water pollution on the protozoan community structure in a eutrophic lake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jiang, Y., Xu, H., Hu, X., Zhu, M., Al-Rasheid, K. A. S., and Warren, A. (2011). An approach to analyzing spatial patterns of planktonic ciliate communities for monitoring water quality in Jiaozhou Bay, northern China. Marine Pollution Bulletin 62, 227–235.
| An approach to analyzing spatial patterns of planktonic ciliate communities for monitoring water quality in Jiaozhou Bay, northern China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jiang, Z., Chen, Q., Zeng, J., Liao, Y., Shou, L., and Liu, J. (2012). Phytoplankton community distribution in relation to environmental parameters in three aquaculture systems in a Chinese subtropical eutrophic bay. Marine Ecology Progress Series 446, 73–89.
| Phytoplankton community distribution in relation to environmental parameters in three aquaculture systems in a Chinese subtropical eutrophic bay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johnson, M. D., Stoecker, D. K., and Marshall, H. G. (2013). Seasonal dynamics of Mesodinium rubrum in Chesapeake Bay. Journal of Plankton Research 35, 877–893.
| Seasonal dynamics of Mesodinium rubrum in Chesapeake Bay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kchaou, N., Elloumi, J., Drira, Z., Hamza, A., Ayadi, H., Bouain, A., and Aleya, L. (2009). Distribution of ciliates in relation to environmental factors along the coastline of the Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 83, 414–424.
| Distribution of ciliates in relation to environmental factors along the coastline of the Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kim, Y. O., Shin, K., Jang, P. G., Choi, H. W., Noh, J. H., Yang, E. J., Kim, E., and Jeon, D. (2012). Tintinnid species as biological indicators for monitoring intrusion of the warm oceanic waters into Korean coastal waters. Ocean Science Journal 47, 161–172.
| Tintinnid species as biological indicators for monitoring intrusion of the warm oceanic waters into Korean coastal waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kofoid, C. A., and Campbell, A. S. (1929). ‘A Conspectus of the Marine and Freshwater Ciliata Belonging to the Suborder Tintinnoinea, with Descriptions of New Species Principally from the Agassiz Expedition to the Eastern Tropical Pacific 1904–1905.’ (University of California, Publications in Zoology: Los Angeles, CA, USA.)
Kofoid, C. A., and Campbell, A. S. (1939). ‘The Ciliate: the Tintinnoinea.’ (Museum of Comparative Zoology: Boston, MA, USA.)
Leakey, R. J. G., Burkill, P. H., and Sleigh, M. A. (1992). Planktonic ciliates in Southampton Water: abundance, biomass, production, and role in pelagic carbon flow. Marine Biology 114, 67–83.
Levinsen, H., and Nielsen, T. G. (2002). The trophic role of marine pelagic ciliates and heterotrophic dinoflagellates in arctic and temperate coastal ecosystems: a cross-latitude comparison. Limnology and Oceanography 47, 427–439.
| The trophic role of marine pelagic ciliates and heterotrophic dinoflagellates in arctic and temperate coastal ecosystems: a cross-latitude comparison.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Li, G., Liu, H., Ke, Z., Lin, Q., Yin, J., Li, K., Song, X., Shen, P., and Huang, L. (2012). Latitudinal variability (6°S–20°N) of early summer phytoplankton species compositions and size-fractioned productivity from Java Sea to South China Sea. Marine Biology Research 8, 163–171.
| Latitudinal variability (6°S–20°N) of early summer phytoplankton species compositions and size-fractioned productivity from Java Sea to South China Sea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Liu, H., Song, X., Huang, L., Tan, Y., Zhong, Y., and Huanf, J. R. (2012). Potential risk of Mesodinium rubrum bloom in aquaculture area of Dapeng’ao Cove, China: diurnal changes in the ciliate community structure in the surface water. Oceanologia 54, 109–117.
| Potential risk of Mesodinium rubrum bloom in aquaculture area of Dapeng’ao Cove, China: diurnal changes in the ciliate community structure in the surface water.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lynn, D. H. (2008). ‘The Ciliated Protozoa. Characterization, Classification and Guide to the Literature’, 3rd edn. (Springer: Berlin, Germany.)
Ma, Y., Xu, H., Yu, T., He, G., Zhao, Y., Zhang, G., Shang, L., Sun, Q., Wu, Z., and Chen, S. (2007). ‘GB/T 12763.4-2007. Specifications for Oceanographia Survey – Part 4: Survey of Chemical Parameters in Sea Water.’ (Standards Press of China: Beijing, PR China.) [In Chinese].
Short, S. M., and Suttle, C. A. (2002). Sequence analysis of marine virus communities reveals that groups of related algal viruses are widely distributed in nature. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 68, 1290–1296.
| Sequence analysis of marine virus communities reveals that groups of related algal viruses are widely distributed in nature.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smith, W. O., and Barber, R. T. (1979). Carbon budget for the autotrophic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum. Journal of Phycology 15, 27–33.
| Carbon budget for the autotrophic ciliate Mesodinium rubrum.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Song, W., Zhao, Y., Xu, K., Hu, X., and Gong, J. (2003). ‘Pathogenic Protozoa in Mariculture.’ (Science Press: Beijing, PR China.) [In Chinese].
Tan, X., Shi, X., Liu, G., Xu, H., and Nie, P. (2010). An approach to analyzing taxonomic patterns of protozoancommunities for monitoring water quality in Songhua River, northeast China. Hydrobiologia 638, 193–201.
| An approach to analyzing taxonomic patterns of protozoancommunities for monitoring water quality in Songhua River, northeast China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
ter Braak, C. J. F., and Smilauer, P. (2002). ‘CANOCO Reference Manual and CanoDraw for Windows User’s Guide: Software for Canonical Community Ordination (Version 4.5).’ (Microcomputer Power: Ithaca, New York, NY, USA.)
Urrutxurtu, I., Orive, E., and de la Sota, A. (2003). Seasonal dynamics of ciliated protozoa and their potential food in an eutrophic estuary (Bay of Biscay). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 57, 1169–1182.
| Seasonal dynamics of ciliated protozoa and their potential food in an eutrophic estuary (Bay of Biscay).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Utermöhl, H. (1958). Zur vervolkommung der quantitativen phytoplankton Methodik. Internationale Vereinigung für Theoretische und Angewandte Limnologie: Mitteilungen 9, 1–38.
Wang, Y., Zhang, W., Lin, Y., Zheng, L., Cao, W., and Yang, J. (2014). Spatial and seasonal variations of large tintinnid ciliates in Shenhu Bay of China. Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies 43, 292–302.
| Spatial and seasonal variations of large tintinnid ciliates in Shenhu Bay of China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wu, F., Huang, J., Qi, Z., and Huang, H. (2017). Spatial and seasonal variations in the planktonic ciliate community and its relationship with environmental factors in Daya Bay, the South China Sea. Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies 44, 212–222.
Xiao, Y., Ferreira, J. G., Bricker, S. B., Nunes, J. P., Zhu, M., and Zhang, X. (2007). Trophic assessment in Chinese coastal systems – review of methods and application to the Changjiang (Yangtze) Estuary and Jiaozhou Bay. Estuaries and Coasts 30, 901–918.
| Trophic assessment in Chinese coastal systems – review of methods and application to the Changjiang (Yangtze) Estuary and Jiaozhou Bay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Xu, M., Cao, H., Xie, P., Deng, D., Feng, W., and Xu, J. (2005). Use of PFU protozoan community structural and functional characteristics in assessment of water quality in a large, highly polluted freshwater lake in China. Journal of Environmental Monitoring 7, 670–674.
| Use of PFU protozoan community structural and functional characteristics in assessment of water quality in a large, highly polluted freshwater lake in China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Xu, H. L., Song, W. B., Warren, A., Al-Rasheid, K. A. S., Al-Farraj, S. A., Gong, J., and Hu, X. (2008). Planktonic protist communities in a semi-enclosed mariculture pond: structural variation and correlation with environmental conditions. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 88, 1353–1362.
| Planktonic protist communities in a semi-enclosed mariculture pond: structural variation and correlation with environmental conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yang, Y. F., Fei, X. G., Song, J. M., and Hu, H. Y. (2006). Growth of Gracilaria lemaneiformis under different cultivation conditions and its effects on nutrient removal in Chinese coastal waters. Aquaculture 254, 248–255.
| Growth of Gracilaria lemaneiformis under different cultivation conditions and its effects on nutrient removal in Chinese coastal waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yoo, J. S., Kim, Y. H., and Lee, I. K. (1999). Succession of benthic algal community in Dock marine ecosystem perturbated by red tide. Algae – Korean Phycological Society 14, 181–187.
Yu, Y., Zhang, W., Wang, S., and Xiao, T. (2013). Abundance and biomass of planktonic ciliates in the sea area around Zhangzi Island, Northern Yellow Sea. Acta Ecologica Sinica 33, 45–51.
| Abundance and biomass of planktonic ciliates in the sea area around Zhangzi Island, Northern Yellow Sea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
