Carbon content of some freshwater rotifers

Abstract

Carbon content of rotifers from 14 species (Keratella cochlearis, K. c. recta, K. c. hispida, K. ticinensis, K. quadrata, Polyarthra remata, P. vulgaris, P. major, P. euryptera, Synchaeta sp., S. stylata, S. pectinata, Trichocerca capucina, Asplanchna priodonta) was determined with the high temperature combustion method of Salonen (1979). Rotifers for the carbon analysis were collected from different fresh water bodies in Russia (Lake Ladoga) and Finland (lakes Pohjalampi, Varaslampi, and two small ponds in Lammi). Average individual carbon mass of rotifers varied between 0.0064 and 0.058 μg in Keratella spp., 0.012 and 0.051 μg in Polyarthra spp., 0.020 and 0.133 μg in Synchaeta spp., 0.162 and 0.555 μg in A. priodonta. The carbon level in the studied rotifer species differed 100-fold ranging from 0.3 l% WW in A. priodonta to 31.5% WW in K. c. tecta. Body length/carbon mass and body volume/carbon mass regressions were established for the studied rotifers.