Ecology

Data on Freshwater Research Published by Researchers at University of Gottingen

  2012 JUL 13 (VerticalNews) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Ecology, Environment & Conservation -- Data detailed on Freshwater Research have been presented. According to news reporting originating in Gottingen, Germany, by VerticalNews journalists, researchers stated "1. It is increasingly realised that aquatic and terrestrial systems are closely linked."

  The news reporters obtained a quote from the research by the authors from the University of Gottingen, "We investigated stable isotope variations in Odonata species, putative prey and basal resources of aquatic and terrestrial systems of northern Mongolia during summer. 2. In permanent ponds, delta 13C values of Odonata larvae were distinctly lower than those of putative prey, suggesting that body tissue comprised largely of carbon originating from isotopically light carbon sources. Presumably, prey consumed during autumn and winter when carbon is internally recycled and/or methanotrophic bacteria form an important basal resource of the food web. In contrast, in a temporary pond, delta 13C values of Odonata larvae were similar to those of putative prey, indicating that their body carbon originated mainly from prey species present. 3. Changes in delta 15N and delta 13C values between larvae and adults were species specific and reflected differential replacement of the larval isotopic signature by the terrestrial diet of adult Odonata. The replacement was more pronounced in Odonata species of permanent ponds than in those of the temporary pond, where larvae hatched later in the year. Replacement of larval carbon varied between tissues, with wings representing the larval isotopic signature whereas thoracic muscles and eggs reflected the delta 15N and delta 13C values of the terrestrial diet of adults. 4. The results suggest that because of their long larval development, Odonata species of permanent ponds carry the larval signature, which is partly replaced during their terrestrial life. Terrestrial prey forms the basis for egg production and thus the next generation of aquatic larvae. In temporary ponds, in contrast, Odonata species rely on prey from a single season, engage in a prolonged aquatic phase and hatch later, leaving less time to acquire terrestrial prey resources for offspring production."

  According to the news reporters, the researchers concluded: "Stable isotope analysis provided important insights into the food webs of the waterbodies and their relationship to the terrestrial system."

  For more information on this research see: Linking aquatic and terrestrial food webs - Odonata in boreal systems. Freshwater Biology, 2012;57(7):1449-1457. Freshwater Biology can be contacted at: Wiley-Blackwell, 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA. (Wiley-Blackwell - www.wiley.com/; Freshwater Biology - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1365-2427)

  Our news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained by contacting L.I. Seifert, University of Gottingen, Johann Friedrich Blumenbach Inst Zool & Anthropol, Dept. of Anim Ecol, D-37073 Gottingen, Germany.

  Keywords for this news article include: Europe, Carbon, Germany, Gottingen, Freshwater Research

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