EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF THE HERBIVORY INTERACTION BETWEEN PHYSA SP. AND PERIPHYTON

Document Type : Regular Paper

Authors

Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Center for Environmental Studies, Razi University, Baghabrisham 67149, Kermanshah, I. R. of Iran

Abstract

The influence of the herbivorous snail (Physa sp.) on the algal periphyton community from the
Gamasiyab River, Kermanshah province in western Iran was examined by establishing a gradient of Physa sp.
density in artificial streams. The impact of Physa grazing was evaluated by measuring dry mass, ash-free dry
mass (AFDM) and chlorophyll a in the periphyton community. Snails significantly depressed periphyton
biomass. Following twelve days of grazing of the grazer densities of 0, 0.015, 0.03 and 0.06 individuals/cm2
the dry masses of the periphyton communities were 3.04, 2.9, 2.66 and 1.07 mg/cm2 respectively. Snails also
decreased ash-free dry mass by 2.04, 1.78, 1.63 and 0.71 mg/cm2 and chlorophyll a by 8.6, 8.06, 5.25 and 4.6
mg/m2. During this experiment the survival percentage for 0.015, 0.03 and 0.06 (individuals/cm2) treatments
was 77.7%, 58.3% and 30% respectively. During the 12 days of the grazing period in the artificial stream the
snail growth also showed a density dependent pattern. Diatom biovolumes calculated in this study are
57.1×106, 36×106×31×106, and 5.8×106 μ m3/cm2 for snail densities of 0, 0.015, 0.03 and 0.06
individuals/cm2 respectively. A group of species which are found primarily in the grazed treatments include
Achnanthes lanceolata, Cocconeis pediculus, and Ulothrix sp. In contrast, ungrazed assemblage had high
relative abundance of non adnate diatoms such as Nitzcshia linaris, Gomphonema sp. and non filamentous
chlorophytes such as Scenedesmus sp

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Science
Volume 31, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
November and December 2007
Pages 291-300

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