Vol. 78 2026

ARTICLES

Rotifers in Several Drying-up Standing Water Bodies in Western Bulgaria

Pencho Ivanov*

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**Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,2 Gagarin Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; E-mail: pencho22@gmail.com

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb78.1.002840

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Abstract

In the context of climate change, the drying up of water bodies is becoming increasingly common. Understanding how aquatic communities respond to changes in the hydrological regime is essential for comprehending the processes influenced by climate change. This study describes the colonisation and development of rotifers in drying-up water bodies, with dynamically changing habitats and unstable hydrological regimes. Rotifers are typical inhabitants of such water bodies. The research includes seasonal karst lakes such as Lilov Vir, the almost permanent karst Aldomirovsko Marsh, the artificial lake Ariana in Sofia and a permanent basin — the non-drying drainage channel of the karst Dragomansko Marsh — for comparison. The unstable hydrological regimes resulted in increased variability of physical and chemical parameters with two peaks in nutrient concentrations with the highest levels of total phosphate phosphorus being recorded during the second peak. The distribution of rotifers aligned with the second peak which occurred after the midpoint of the hydroperiod. Longer hydroperiods resulted in more stable nutrient levels and supported greater abundance and diversity of taxa. Factors such as the higher water temperatures and avoidance of competition with copepods were also essential for the late appearance of rotifers: 4-6 weeks after the filling of the lakes.

Key words

artificial lake, hydroperiod, karst swamp, rotifer occurrence, temporary ponds

How to Cite
Ivanov P. 2026. Rotifers in Several Drying-up Standing Water Bodies in Western Bulgaria. Acta zoologica bulgarica 78.

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