engleski

Rotifer species richness along the altitude gradient of glacial lakes at the Adriatic basin (Albania)

Eight Glacial Lakes within Albanian part of Adriatic Sea basin were subject of rotifer fauna survey in the period of 2018-2021. All of the lakes are located at altitudes above 1610 m except Lake of Dushku (1380 m). A total of 31 rotifer taxa were identified. Some of the identified taxa are new records for the Albanian inland water fauna and they include: Lecane latissima, Cephalodella gibba, Notholca squamula and Euchlanis dilatata lucksiana. Among the species the most dominant one were Keratella cochlearis (7 lakes), Lecane lunaris (7 lakes) Keratella quadrata (6 lakes), Brachionus quadridentatus (4 lakes), Notholca squamula (4 lakes), Filinia longiseta (4 lakes) and Lepadella patella (4 lakes). Following revealed data there is a linkage among rotifer species richness along different altitudinal distributions of lakes, where Lake of Dushko (1380 m) is distinguished by 16 taxa, while Lake of Valamare (2070 m) with four taxa. There is undergoing eutrophication process accelerated by cumulative anthropogenic impact including deforestation, fire events, erosion and siltation, where the most affected one is Lakae Dragani where 4.3 mg/l dissolved oxygen and PO43- - P (μg/L) was at rate of 9.03. The current survey enforces the recognition of ecological and social importance of continental small water bodies and further on it appeals for the conservation needs these aquatic ecosystems.

rotifer richness ; anthropogenic impacts ; conservation

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