Planktonic communities of Lake Cadagno, Piora Valley
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Keywords:
Stratification, Microalgae, Ciliate Group, Sampling, LayersAbstract
The aim of this study is to analyze the species composition of zooplankton and phytoplankton living
in the mixolimnion, monimolimnion, and particularly the chemocline layers of Lake Cadagno. Lake Cadagno,
situated in the Piora Valley, has been the subject of significant scientific interest due to its unique water column
stratification. A total of 61 species were identified in the lake during sampling conducted across three layers -
mixolimnion, chemocline, and monimolimnion - in July 2023. Most species belonged to the ciliate group,
comprising 14 species. The mixolimnion layer exhibited the highest species diversity. In the monimolimnion
layer, a notable diversity of microalgae was observed, predominantly Chlorophyta and Diatom groups. The
most prevalent groups across the three layers were Ciliophorans in the mixolimnion, Chlorophyta, and Diatoms
in the chemocline and monimolimnion layers. The significance of Lake Cadagno's unique characteristics in
sheltering diverse zooplankton, phytoplankton and bacterioplankton species can be attributed to its physio
chemical conditions.
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References
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