JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH | VOLUME 4 | NUMBER 1 | PAGES 137-142 | 1982
© Oxford University Press
research-article |
Vertical niche separation between two closely related planktonic flagellate species (Rhodomonas lens and Rhodomonas minuta v. nannoplanctica)
Limnologisches Institut der Universität Konstanz Mainaustraße 212, D-7750 Konstanz, GFR
Received on January 1, 1981; accepted on July 1, 1981 Rhodomonas minuta v. nannoplanctica Skuja and Rhodomonas lens Pascher et Ruttner were found to perform vertical migrations. From sunrise until afternoon they adjust their vertical position to an optimum light-intensity, which is for R. minuta 2.5 times higher than for R. lens. The spatial separation of both species is increasing throughout the whole light phase. The species distinction between them has been questioned recently, but can be maintained not only because of morphological differences but also because they are occupying different niches within the plankton community.