An ecological study of hummock-hollow formations on certain peatlands of the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland, with special emphasis on the Rotifera

Bateman, Lois Elizabeth (1975) An ecological study of hummock-hollow formations on certain peatlands of the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland, with special emphasis on the Rotifera. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Rotifers encountered in samples obtained from six peatland sites on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland are listed. Seventy species and varieties including 25 bdelloids and 45 Monogononta were recorded. Sixty-three species and three varieties represent new records for Newfoundland, while there are 23 new records for Canada, and 16 for North America. -- A seasonal quantitative study of rotifer communities in the hummock-hollow formations on one of the sites, a nutrient poor fen, was carried out from August 1973 to October, 1974. An average of 354 rotifers per sq. cm. and 17 species were found in each hummock-hollow complex. Monogononta almost totally disappeared during winter while the bdelloids became somewhat diminished in number. Hummock tops supported mainly bdelloid rotifers. The number of Monogononta increased in both species and number of individuals in the slopes of the hummocks and was greatest in the hollows and pool edges, although total number of rotifers was less in these areas than in the hummock tops. Results indicate that the components of each hummock-hollow formation may be different in both quality and number from neighbouring formations. -- Some physical and biological factors affecting the rotifer communities were examined, which showed that rotifers in these sites do not suffer dessication. Predation of or by rotifers was not important in these communities. -- A quantitative sampling method was devised for procuring relatively accurate samples from living Sphagnum moss, and extracting rotifers from these samples. A guide to preserved illoricate rotifers was constructed to enable contracted species to be recognized and accurately counted in the preserved samples. -- Several Sphagnum samples were maintained in the laboratory under varying conditions with a view to determining the effect of storage on the numbers and species of rotifers contained in the samples.

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