Water quality and the rotifer populations in the Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana

Hydrobiologia
By: , and 

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Abstract

We compiled distributional and ecological information on the class Rotifera from both flood controlled and uncontrolled reaches of the Atchafalaya River Basin, a large river-swamp in the south-central United States. In the minimally altered lower basin a variety of aquatic habitats within a small area resulted in a very diverse rotifer community consisting of an average of 46 taxa. In contrast, only an average of 28 different taxa were collected in leeved upper basin habitats. As a result of cluster analysis we were able to identify rotifer communities associated with areas of similar water quality. Variations in suspended solids, total dissolved solids, and organic carbon were most often significantly associated with variations in rotifer numbers from the lower basin. Seasonal flushing of backwater areas by mainstem waters is very important in maintaining the diversity of these lower basin rotifer communities.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Water quality and the rotifer populations in the Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana
Series title Hydrobiologia
DOI 10.1007/BF00019251
Volume 98
Issue 1
Year Published 1983
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Description 15 p.
First page 55
Last page 69
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