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DatoValore
TitleThe response of organisms in a chronically polluted lake supports the hypothesized link between stress and size
AbstractMost of the available support for the hypothesis that pollutants' effects depend on size comes from shortterm experiments. We appried a size-based approach to the analysis of the fossil remains of Lago d'Orta in Northern Italy, a lake that has been polluted with copper, other metals, and acid for more than 50 yr. Once this pollution began, the size distribution of diatoms, thecamoebians, and cladocerans shifted to smaller individuals. These changes in size reflected shifts in the taxonomic composition of the assemblages, but we also observed reduction of body size within a single taxon (the diatom Achnanthes minutissima). These reductions in the average size across three communities from different kingdoms and trophic levels provide strong evidence that chronically stressed environments select for smaller organisms.
SourceLimnology and oceanography 43 (8), pp. 1938–1943
KeywordsOrtaPeriphytonpredation
JournalLimnology and oceanography
EditorAmerican Society of Limnology and Oceanography., [Waco, Tex., etc.], Stati Uniti d'America
Year1998
TypeArticolo in rivista
AuthorsCattaneo A., Asioli A., Comoli P., Manca M
Text436480 1998 Orta Periphyton predation The response of organisms in a chronically polluted lake supports the hypothesized link between stress and size Cattaneo A., Asioli A., Comoli P., Manca M CNR, Ist Geol Marina, I 40129 Bologna, Italy CNR, Ist Italiano Idrobiol, I 28048 Pallanza, Italy Most of the available support for the hypothesis that pollutants effects depend on size comes from shortterm experiments. We appried a size based approach to the analysis of the fossil remains of Lago d Orta in Northern Italy, a lake that has been polluted with copper, other metals, and acid for more than 50 yr. Once this pollution began, the size distribution of diatoms, thecamoebians, and cladocerans shifted to smaller individuals. These changes in size reflected shifts in the taxonomic composition of the assemblages, but we also observed reduction of body size within a single taxon the diatom Achnanthes minutissima . These reductions in the average size across three communities from different kingdoms and trophic levels provide strong evidence that chronically stressed environments select for smaller organisms. 43 Published version Articolo in rivista American Society of Limnology and Oceanography. 0024 3590 Limnology and oceanography Limnology and oceanography Limnol. oceanogr. Limnology and oceanography. marinamarcella.manca MANCA MARINA MARCELLA COMOLI PATRIZIA alessandra.asioli ASIOLI ALESSANDRA