Larisa V. Golovatyuk, Dmitry G. Seleznev, Ekaterina M. Kurina
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The assessment of the geographical distribution of species under the influence of environmental factors at different scales is important in ecological studies. This study aimed to investigate macrozoobenthos species associations and determine the factors influencing their co-occurrence, based on data from various climatic zones of the Eastern European Plain.
We analysed a large dataset from 11 mid-sized and 81 small rivers in the Lower Volga Basin. Using a discrete binomial distribution, we identified pairs of associated species, grouped them and analysed their dependence on various abiotic factors.
Four clusters of macrozoobenthic species were identified, gradually replacing each other from the forest-steppe to the semi-desert climatic zone. From high to low latitudes, in these clusters the number of rheophilic and freshwater species decreased, while the number of limnophilic, euryhaline and halophilic species increased.
Species associations with habitat are determined by morphological and physiological adaptations to the complex of abiotic factors within local biotopes, trophic specialisation and facilitative interactions. The abiotic characteristics of the biotopes, in turn, were influenced by the following climatic and landscape factors: Average annual air temperature, precipitation volume influences salinity in the watercourses, and finally, the altitude and ruggedness of the terrain influenced water velocity. These factors constrained the spatial distribution of identified species assemblages to varying degrees.
The results obtained contribute significantly to our understanding of the geographical distribution of macrozoobenthic assemblages. The methodical approach employed in this study has the potential to facilitate the distribution analysis of other groups of living organisms across diverse spatial scales.
期刊介绍:
Freshwater Biology publishes papers on all aspects of the ecology of inland waters, including rivers and lakes, ground waters, flood plains and other freshwater wetlands. We include studies of micro-organisms, algae, macrophytes, invertebrates, fish and other vertebrates, as well as those concerning whole systems and related physical and chemical aspects of the environment, provided that they have clear biological relevance.
Studies may focus at any level in the ecological hierarchy from physiological ecology and animal behaviour, through population dynamics and evolutionary genetics, to community interactions, biogeography and ecosystem functioning. They may also be at any scale: from microhabitat to landscape, and continental to global. Preference is given to research, whether meta-analytical, experimental, theoretical or descriptive, highlighting causal (ecological) mechanisms from which clearly stated hypotheses are derived. Manuscripts with an experimental or conceptual flavour are particularly welcome, as are those or which integrate laboratory and field work, and studies from less well researched areas of the world. Priority is given to submissions that are likely to interest a wide range of readers.
We encourage submission of papers well grounded in ecological theory that deal with issues related to the conservation and management of inland waters. Papers interpreting fundamental research in a way that makes clear its applied, strategic or socio-economic relevance are also welcome.
Review articles (FRESHWATER BIOLOGY REVIEWS) and discussion papers (OPINION) are also invited: these enable authors to publish high-quality material outside the constraints of standard research papers.