Life history traits of the stygophilous amphipod Synurella ambulans in the hyporheic zone of the lower reaches of the upper Sava River (Croatia)

Gottstein, Sanja; Redžović, Zuzana; Erk, Marijana; Sertić Perić, Mirela; Dautović, Jelena; Cindrić, Mario (2023) Life history traits of the stygophilous amphipod Synurella ambulans in the hyporheic zone of the lower reaches of the upper Sava River (Croatia). Water, 15 (18). p. 3188. ISSN 2073-4441

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Abstract

Estimating the growth and population dynamics of crustaceans is important for understanding the role of species in ecosystems and for conservation and monitoring purposes. This study investigated temporal and spatial variation in population dynamics (growth rate, instantaneous mortality rates, and longevity) of the stygophilous freshwater amphipod Synurella ambulans (F. Müller, 1846), and influencing environmental factors. Seasonal sampling was conducted from December 2018 to October 2019 at two sampling sites (Jarun and Medsave) along the Sava River in northwestern Croatia. A Bhattacharya cohort analysis was applied to the length-frequency data using the FISAT software package. At least four cohorts were distinguished during the year. The possible influence of environmental factors on growth parameters was investigated using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), which revealed that the important environmental factors influencing S. ambulans abundance were water temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration. The average total body length (TBL) of females was 4.25 mm, while the TBL of males was 3.34 mm. The asymptotic length (L∞) and growth coefficient (K) were estimated to be 6.30 mm and 0.92 year−1 for females and 5.40 mm and 0.59 year−1 for males, respectively, at the Jarun site. L∞ and K were estimated to be 7.20 mm and 0.34 year−1, respectively, for females and 4.00 mm and 1.20 year−1, respectively, for males at the Medsave site. Estimated total mortality (Z) for each sex had higher values for males than females at both sampling sites. The lack of ecological knowledge on S. ambulans populations and relationships with invertebrate communities in the hyporheic zone of the large river ecosystems emphasises the importance of a detailed study for protecting this species and its vulnerable ecotonal groundwater-connected environment.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	freshwater amphipods; length-frequency distribution; growth rate; mortality; population dynamics; cohorts; ecotonal zone; groundwater-connected ecosystems
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES > Biology > Ecology NATURAL SCIENCES > Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences > Environmental Science
Divisions:	Division for Marine and Enviromental Research Division of Molecular Medicine
Projects:	Project title Project leader Project code Project type Akumulacija, unutarstanično mapiranje i učinci metala u tragovima u akvatičkih organizama-AQUAMAPMET Marijana Erk IP-2014-09-4255 HRZZ Qua/Qua Protein: Kvantitativna i kvalitativna analiza proteina za potrebe biomedicine i biotehnološke industrije-Qua/Qua Protein Mario Cindrić KK.01.1.1.07.0023 EK
Depositing User:	Marijana Erk
Date Deposited:	30 Jan 2024 12:25
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/8415
DOI:	10.3390/w15183188

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