Planktonic and non-planktonic rotifers in two environments of the Upper Paraná River floodplain, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

Investigations were carried out for the composition and occurrence of rotifer taxa of different forms and sizes during two distinct hydrological periods, in two environments (river and lake). Two sampling stations were established in open water of each environments. Surface samples were taken daily for 14 days. The faunistic similarity between the environments was established using Jaccard's index. One hundred and fourty three taxa were identified. The largest number of taxa was recorded in the river. Faunistic similarity between these environments was greater during high water. The planktonic taxa predominated and the difference for the non-planktonic ones was not marked. Non-planktonic taxa predominated in the river, while both types were numerous in the lake. We observed a larger number of smaller-sized taxa in both environments (> 200µm to 600µm in length). This was related to the shallowest depths and to current velocity, which moved benthic and periphytic taxa from the bottom and littoral zone into the water column.