Seasonal occurrence and activity of heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNANO or heteroflagellates) and bacteria were studied in a sheltered brackish water embayment of Chesapeake Bay wetlands (Virginia, USA) over a three year period (1981 - 1984). Epifluorescence direct counts and Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM and TEM) techniques were used for the description of organisms, enumeration, and biomass determinations. Seasonal bacterial growth rates and growth and grazing rates of bactivorous HNANO were estimated using diffusion chambers equipped with Nuclepore polycarbonate membrane filters in natural salt marsh tidal pools. Environmental monitoring of nanoplankton populations revealed a seasonal pattern of bacterial abundances with temperature while heteroflagellate abundances and growth rates showed no seasonal pattern nor correlation with fluctuations in bacterial densities. Heteroflagellate populations were dominated by 34 to 50 (mu)m('3) sized monads, choanoflagellates, bodonids, and Paraphysomonas sp., all found in varying abundances throughout the year. Blooms were concurrent with extended low tide or specific bacterial populations (i.e., cyanobacteria) typical of spring and autumn periods. Heteroflagellate growth in diffusion chambers reflected the environmental blooms and increased diversity of low water assemblages. Growth and grazing rates of heteroflagellates at ambient densities thus could account for 20 to 80% of daily bacterial carbon production. Although heteroflagellate ingestion rates did not regulate seasonal bacteria densities or vice versa, maximum growth of bacteria and heteroflagellates in chambers was closely coupled. Heteroflagellate grazing activity may regulate the rate of bacterial production by preventing substrate limitation and maintaining the population in an active growth phase. The seasonal study demonstrated the dynamic nature of nanoplankton populations during autumn and spring transitional periods. SEM photomicroscopy revealed that the dominant component of spring blooms may be composed of several members of the loricate choanoflagellate family, Acanthoecidae. Using modified EM techniques, eleven Acanthoecidae choanoflagellates species, identified from spring in situ chamber experiments, were described. In situ growth and grazing rates for the spring chamber populations ranged from 0.023 h('-1) to 0.196 h('-1) and 40 to 210 bacteria h('-1) respectively. These high rates represent an opportunistic response to optimum conditions and an expression of maximum grazing potential. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.).
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:wm.edu/oai:scholarworks.wm.edu:etd-2218 |
| Date | 01 January 1986 |
| Creators | Fritz, Alyce T. |
| Publisher | W&M ScholarWorks |
| Source Sets | William and Mary |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects |
| Rights | © The Author |
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