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Efficiency of Transfer of Essential Substances from Phytoplankton to Planktonic Crustaceans in Mesotrophic Conditions

  • ZOOPLANKTON, ZOOBENTHOS, ZOOPERIPHYTON
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Abstract

We assessed the efficiency of the transfer of essential substances (carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, and fatty acids (FA), including polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)) from phytoplankton to planktonic crustaceans in experimental mesocosms in the presence and absence of fish. The experiments were conducted under mesotrophic conditions in 300 L mesocosms. We have found that transfer efficiencies from producers to consumers are different for different substances. In particular, FA, including PUFAs, are transferred less efficiently than carbon. In contrast, the efficiency of nutrient transfer, especially phosphorus, is higher than that of carbon. This evidences that zooplankton can accumulate nutrients, increasing their quality as a resource for higher trophic levels. Fish significantly reduced the efficiency of carbon transfer from phytoplankton to zooplankton per unit of water volume, but did not affect the transfer of substances per unit of biomass. Thus, the quality of zooplankton as a food resource for higher trophic levels did not decrease in the presence of fish, despite the decline in the efficiency of the transfer of the essential substances per unit of water volume under their influence. Since the efficiency of essential substances transfered from phytoplankton to zooplankton determines the functioning of the entire trophic web, we should seek ways to increase it.

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Funding

The collection of biological material and experimental studies were supported by the Polish National Science Centre (project no. UMO-506 2016/21/B/NZ8/00434). Phytoplankton samples were processed with support from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project no. 18-54-00002 Bel_a), zooplankton samples were processed and analyzed using the Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research (project no. BRFFR no. B18R-004), and statistical data analyses were conducted as part of State Task no. AAAA-A18-118012690096-1. The interpretation of the results, review of the literature, and preparation of materials for publication were funded by the Russian Science Foundation (project no. 16-14-10323).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    I. Yu. Feniova

  2. Papanin Institute for Biology of Inland Waters, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nekouzskii raion, Yaroslavl oblast, Borok, Russia

    E. G. Sakharova

  3. Scientific and Practical Center for Bioresources, National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Minsk, Republic of Belarus

    Zh. F. Buseva, Z. I. Gorelysheva & V. P. Semenchenko

  4. Institute of Biophysics of Federal Research Centre, Krasnoyarsk Science Centre, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Akademgorodok, Krasnoyarsk, Russia

    M. I. Gladyshev & N. N. Sushchik

  5. Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia

    M. I. Gladyshev & N. N. Sushchik

  6. Department of Hydrobiology, Institute of Biology, University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland

    M. Karpowicz

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  1. I. Yu. Feniova
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  4. M. I. Gladyshev
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Correspondence to I. Yu. Feniova.

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Translated by I. Feniova

Abbreviations: Bcrust, crustacean biomass; Bphyto, phytoplankton biomass; SP, secondary production (crustacean production); DHA, docosahexaenoic acid; FAs, fatty acids; PUFAs, polyunsaturated fatty acids; PP, primary production; and EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid.

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Feniova, I.Y., Sakharova, E.G., Buseva, Z.F. et al. Efficiency of Transfer of Essential Substances from Phytoplankton to Planktonic Crustaceans in Mesotrophic Conditions. Inland Water Biol 14, 49–59 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1995082920040033

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