Rotifer communities in the Laurentian Great Lakes, 1983–2006 and factors affecting their composition

摘要: Abstract Rotifer communities were examined from the open waters of Laurentian Great Lakes between 1983 and 2006 in first inter-lake comparison involving all five lakes. Seventy rotifer taxa found summer samples, although most (> 80%) individuals drawn following taxa: Conochilus unicornis , Polyarthra vulgaris Keratella cochlearis Kellicottia longispina crassa Synchaeta spp., major Ploesoma truncatum earlinae quadrata . Distributions Filinia longiseta several species Brachionus Trichocera restricted to regions higher trophy, notably western basin Lake Erie, but widely distributed, differing relative dominance rather than presence or absence. community structure appeared respond tractable ways differences trophic state, with four common genera exhibited preferences, order decreasing trophy: Recent oligotrophication Huron was reflected decreases increased while Michigan associated increases In Ontario, appearance exotic predatory Cercopagis pengoi strongly dramatic reductions more gradual sequential probably result state. Bythotrephes identified multivariate analyses as correlating composition, only a clear relationship cladoceran shifts observed.