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Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2021, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (2): 126-138.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.20210213

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Niche and Interspecific Association of Dominant Protozoan Species Under Different Hydrologic Periods in the Mitika Wetland of Tibet, China

Ruizhi An,Peng Zhang,Zhen Da,Nanqian Qiao,Qiuyue Tang,Sang Ba*   

  1. Laboratory of Wetland and Catchments Ecology in Tibetan Plateau, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Tibet University Lhasa 850000
  • Received:2020-08-05 Online:2021-02-25 Published:2021-03-29
  • Contact: Sang Ba

Abstract:

Objective: This study aims to explore the niche and interspecific association of dominant species of protozoa community under different hydrologic periods in the Mitika Wetland National Nature Reserve of Tibet, China, to reveal the resource utilization status, functional status and ecological adaptability of the dominant species of protozoa community in different hydrologic periods, and to provide basis for further study on the stability and spatial distribution pattern of protozoan community in Mitika Wetland. Method: According to the characteristics of ecological environment, functional zoning and gradient structure of Mitika wetland, 14 representative sampling sites were set for sample collection. A total of 168 water samples were collected using 25 # standard plankton net in July (wet season) and October (dry season), 2018. The niche and interspecific association among the dominant species were analyzed via the niche breadth, niche overlap, ecological response rate, overall interspecific connections, χ2-test, association coefficient (AC), percentage co-occurrence (PC) and percentage point correlation (φ). Result: 1) A total of 141 species of protozoa were identified in wet season of Mitika wetland and 138 species were identified in dry season. Among them, there are 9 dominant species, belonging to 2 phyla and 5 genera. Cryptomonas obovate and Difflugia globulosa were the dominant species in two hydrological periods. The frequency, abundance and dominance of dominant species were different in different hydrological periods. 2) The dominant species of protozoa in the Mitika wetland are composed of broad niche species, medium niche species and narrow niche species, and the broad niche species were dominant. The result showed that there were significant differences in niche overlap values between species. The maximum and minimum values were 1 and 0.001, respectively. Moreover, the degree of niche overlap was not high, and the inter specific competition was weak; the sum of ecological response rates in the two hydrological periods was positive, indicating that the protozoan community was in the development stage. 3) The dominant species in the two hydrological periods of Mitika wetland were in general positively correlated with each other, however, the correlation among the most species was not significant (χ2 > 3.841), and the interspecific relationship was relatively loose. Conclusion: Among the dominant species of protozoa community in the Mitika wetland, Bodo sp. in wet season, Cryptomonas rostrata in dry season and Difflugia globulosa in the two hydrological periods have strong adaptability to the environment, and have a wide range of ecological adaptation; while Hyalosphenia minuta in wet season and Vorticella campanula in dry season are more sensitive to the changes of water environment conditions, and their adaptability is weak. The niche overlap and breadth characteristics of some dominant species are not consistent. For example, the overlap value of Cryptomonas pyrenoidifera and Cryptomonas rostrata in dry season was high, but the niche breadth was small. The species composition and dominant species structure of protozoa community in the Mitika wetland are relatively stable and have a positive succession trend, but the relative dynamic balance between dominant species and between dominant species and environment is not reached, and the protozoa community is still in the development stage and has not yet reached the top stage of succession.

Key words: Mitika wetland, protozoa, dominant species, niche, interspecific association, Tibet

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