Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


kent1302263925.pdf (4.78 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Ecological Influence of the Non-Indigenous Zooplankter Eubosmina coregoni in Lake Ecosystems

Kirkpatrick, Heather
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1302263925

Abstract Details

2011, MS, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Biological Sciences.
Invasive non-indigenous (NI) zooplankton are a concern in aquatic systems since they can prey on native species, outcompete natives for resources, parasitize or host parasites that negatively affect natives, and cause shifts in native zooplankton communities that can cause changes in the trophic structure of lakes. Eubosmina coregoni is a NI zooplankter that is native to lakes in Northern Europe and Russia and has invaded the Laurentian Great Lakes and inland lakes within 100 km of the Great Lakes. This study used a combination of literature review and experimental manipulations to better understand the factors involved in the establishment of Eubosmina coregoni in the Twin Lakes (Portage County, OH) and the consequences of its presence in lake ecosystems. Historical data collected from the Twin Lakes show that E. coregoni was discovered in East Twin Lake in 1976, four years after surrounding septic tanks were diverted and connected to main municipal sewer systems, and one year after an aluminum sulfate treatment applied to West Lake. E. coregoni has since spread to West Twin Lake and has become the most dominant zooplankter in both these lakes. Experimental trials involving two common predators in the Twin Lakes, Chaoborus punctipennis and Lepomis macrochirus, and mixtures containing E. coregoni and B. longirostris, a close relative of E. coregoni and native zooplankter in the Twin Lakes, were performed to assess predator preference. C. punctipennis significantly preferred the native B. longirostris over the NI E. coregoni in every trial (p < 0.001), whereas Lepomis macrochirus did not show any preference for either species (p > 0.05). Measurements were also performed on the carapace height and length of both E. coregoni and B. longirostris to determine the presence of cyclomorphosis, a type of phenotypic plasticity that can possibly act as an anti-predator defense. Seasonal differences in the proportion of height to length were found in E. coregoni but not B. longirostris, and these differences occurred during the summer months when C. punctipennis densities were at their highest. This study concludes that a combination of the lake restoration techniques performed on the Twin Lakes, C. punctipennis preference for B. longirostris over E. coregoni, and possible cyclomorphosis in E. coregoni were all factors contributing to the successful establishment of this species in the Twin Lakes.
Darren Bade, PhD (Advisor)
Mark Kershner, PhD (Committee Member)
Patrick Lorch, PhD (Committee Member)
148 p.
Aquatic Sciences
zooplankton; cyclomorphosis; Twin Lakes; Eubosmina coregoni; Bosmina longirostris; Chaoborus punctipennis

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kirkpatrick, H. (2011). The Ecological Influence of the Non-Indigenous Zooplankter Eubosmina coregoni in Lake Ecosystems [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1302263925

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kirkpatrick, Heather. The Ecological Influence of the Non-Indigenous Zooplankter Eubosmina coregoni in Lake Ecosystems. 2011. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1302263925.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kirkpatrick, Heather. "The Ecological Influence of the Non-Indigenous Zooplankter Eubosmina coregoni in Lake Ecosystems." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1302263925

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1302263925
929
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.