Cladocera studies in Lake Balaton. I. Mud-living Cladocera and muddy bottom as environment

Sebestyén, Olga (1947) Cladocera studies in Lake Balaton. I. Mud-living Cladocera and muddy bottom as environment. A Magyar Tudományos Akadémia Tihanyi Biológiai Kutatóintézetének évkönyve, 17. pp. 1-16. ISSN 0365-3005

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Abstract

Investigations extending over one year were made regarding the life of the Cladocera in the mud of Lake Balaton. The muddy bottom as their habitat was also studied. Mud deriving from the eprofundal is made up mostly of mineral particles, chiefly lime. Characteristic elements are valves of Diatoms and spicules of fresh-water sponges. Excrement balls are scarce. Conditions of existence of the mud — with the exception of the wind and wave action — are rather monotonous throughout the year. The micro-flora consists of Diatoms, Flagellates and Cyanophyceae, among which limnetic forms also occur. The Cladocera fauna of the mud (eprofundal) is more limited than that of the pelagic region and of the littoral. From the seven species found (one Macrothricidae, six Chydoridae) two (perhaps three) are present the year round of which neither males nor ephippial females were found. Representatives of same species when living in the littoral are warm stenothermous and monocyclic (Macrothrix, Alona affinis). All Cladocera consume mud, utilizing chiefly its detritus content. For the paucity of the Cladoceran-fauna (and for the micro-fauna in general) two factors might be responsible: the poor trophic conditions of the mud and the agitated bottom. The presence of pelagic organisms in the benthos seems to be peculiar to Lake Balaton, demonstrating the close contact between epilimnion and bottom in this lake.

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