Instability of spring environmental conditions as a driver of biotic interactions and crustacean structuring in meteorite crater ponds (Morasko, Poland)

There are 150 meteorite craters worldwide, however, their aggregations are rarely noted. The nature reserve ‘Meteoryt Morasko’ in Poland with fishless meteorite ponds was analyzed as a unique ecosystem for biological analysis of invertebrate interactions. The aim of the study was to recognize the main environmental drivers of cladoceran and copepod community structure from among biotic (competitors and predators) and abiotic factors (i.e. oxygen and pH level) in the spring season.

The abundance of small cladocerans (Alonella excisa and Chydorus sphaericus) was the highest at the end of the spring season, i.e. in June, while large species (Daphnia pulex and Simocephalus exspinosus) were most abundant in May. Both size groups of Cladocera were negatively affected by invertebrate predators (Chaoborus crystallinus and carnivorous copepods), which are known to play an important role in structuring cladoceran communities due to the fishless character of the studied ponds. No negative effect of those predators was found for Copepoda, however, nauplii density was reduced by competitors (Aedes communis larvae and ostracods).

The temporary character of the examined ponds, oxygen depletion and low pH of water in the shallowest pond resulted in the abundant occurrence of cladoceran males, whose high densities are usually observed in autumn.