Polychaetes play a significant role in benthic communities' ecology; they dominate the infauna, recycle nutrients from the water column and are commonly used as biological indicators. Along the Gulf of Urabá (Colombian Caribbean), particularly for the zones of the Marirrío Bay and the Rionegro Cove, there are no reports about ecological aspects of polychaete species; only a few taxonomic studies have been conducted. In this research we evaluate the relationship between polychaete species associated with red mangrove roots, Rhizophora mangle, and some physicochemical variables of the water column; also, we made some notes about the spatial distributions of polychaetes species within the two study areas. We found that the environmental variables that best explain polychaetes community segregation are the dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity; temperature seems to have not a significant effect. In terms of spatial distribution, we found that Alitta succinea, Capitella cf. capitata and Ficopomatus miamiensis occupied the inner, middle and outer zones for both study area and seasons, while Stenoninereis sp. 1 (rainy and dry season) and the exotic polychaete Ficopomatus uschakovi (rainy season) were found just in Rionegro Cove. Finally, the species Nicolea modesta is registered by first time for the Gulf of Urabá, Colombian Caribbean.

Con el objetivo de establecer la biomasa de carbono contenida en el fitoplancton eucariota del embalse Riogrande II (Antioquia, Colombia), entre agosto de 2011 y agosto de 2012, la porción de esa biomasa disponible para el zooplancton filtrador y la calidad de alimento que podría representar para dicho grupo, el fitoplancton se clasificó en dos rangos de longitud correspondientes a nanoplancton (5 a 20 mym) y microplancton (>20 mym). Para ambos grupos se calculó el contenido de carbono celular y la biomasa total en contenido de carbono. Además, para el nanoplancton, el cual corresponde a la fracción filtrable, se estimaron las concentraciones de nitrato y de fosfato. Los altos niveles de biomasa de organismos fototróficos evidenciaron el papel fundamental del fitoplancton eucariótico en la fijación de carbono. Sin embargo, debido a la eutrofización del sistema y a que la talla del zooplancton dominante es pequeña, el flujo de carbono y de nutrientes parece estar dirigido principalmente hacia la vía detrítica y las sustancias disueltas, y no directamente al zooplancton filtrador, cuya principal fuente de alimento en el fitoplancton eucariótico la constituyen los organismos nanoplanctónicos mixotróficos (Cryptophyta y Euglenophyta), que en función de un mayor volumen poseen concentraciones más elevadas de nitrato y fosfato y, por lo tanto, pueden proveer alimento de mejor calidad que el resto del nanoplancton.

In order to establish the carbon biomass content in the eukaryotic phytoplankton at Riogrande II reservoir (Antioquia, Colombia) from August 2011 to August 2012, as well as the portion of this available biomass for filter-feeding zooplankton and the quality of food it could represent for each group, we classified phytoplankton considering two length ranges corresponding to nanoplankton (5 to 20 mum) and microplankton (>20 mum). We estimated the cellular carbon content and the total biomass represented as carbon content for both groups. We also estimated nitrate and phosphate concentrations for the nanoplankton, which corresponds to the filterable fraction. The high levels of phototrophic organisms biomass showed the essential role of eukaryotic phytoplankton in carbon fixation; however, due to the eutrophication of this reservoir and to the small size of dominant zooplankton, the carbon flux and nutrients seemed to be directed mainly to the detrital track and to dissolved substances and not directly to the filter-feeding zooplankton, whose main food source among eukaryotic phytoplankton is constituted by mixotrophic nanoplanktonic organisms (such as Cryptophyta and Euglenophyta), that according to their greater volume have higher concentrations of nitrate and phosphate and, therefore, can provide better quality food than the remaining nanoplankton.

En la zona fótica del embalse Riogrande II se analizó la distribución de la biomasa zooplanctónica en las escalas espacial (longitudinal - vertical) y temporal en función de los gradientes de estado trófico, de biomasa algal y de la precipitación. Los cladóceros dominaron la biomasa, debido a la alta contribución de Bosmina freyi, seguidos de los copépodos y rotíferos. La biomasa de especies de microcrustáceos se asoció a la estación de muestreo eutrófica y de mayor biomasa algal, mientras que la biomasa de especies de rotíferos estuvo ligada a las estaciones de menor estado trófico. La mayor biomasa de microcrustáceos fue en la temporada de mayor estado trófico y la de rotíferos en la de mayor precipitación. En el gradiente vertical, la menor biomasa de todos los grupos fue en subsuperficie, zona que tendió a ser evitada por la mayoría de especies, durante los periodos de muestreo. La expresión de biomasa zooplanctónica en el eje longitudinal y en la escala temporal, respondió principalmente al gradiente de estado trófico y de biomasa algal, y en el eje vertical posiblemente a depredación. Aunque esta respuesta no dependió del hábito trófico de las especies, probablemente por la oferta trófica diversa del embalse y por la plasticidad alimenticia de las especies, sí fue diferente entre microcrustáceos y rotíferos.

The distribution of the zooplankton biomass in the spatial (longitudinal- vertical) and temporal scales based on the gradients of trophic status, algae biomass and the rainfall was analyzed in the photic zone of the reservoir Riogrande II. Cladocerans dominated the biomass due to the large contribution of Bosmina freyi, followed by copepods and rotifers. Biomass of species of microcrustaceans was associated to the most eutrophic sampling station related to highest algae biomass, whereas biomass of species of rotifers was linked to stations of lower trophic status. Highest biomass of microcrustacean was in the season of greatest trophic status whereas highest biomass of rotifer was related to the strongest rainfall season. In the vertical gradient, lowest biomass of all groups occurred in the subsurface. This zone tended to be avoided by most species during the sampling seasons. The expression of zooplankton biomass in the longitudinal axis and the temporal scale mainly responded to the gradient of trophic status and algae biomass, and in the vertical axis possibly responded to predation. Although, this response did not depend on the trophic habit of the species probably due to the diverse trophic offer of the reservoir and the alimentary plasticity of these species, it was clearly different between microcrustaceans and rotifers.

OBJETIVO: determinar a dinâmica de C. furcoides em escalas horizontal e temporal, e determinar os principais fatores ecológicos relacionados com sua dinâmica. MÉTODOS: As amostras foram coletadas em cinco estações entre julho de 2002 e julho de 2003. As variáveis físicas e químicas foram amostrados mensalmente e a densidade foi estimada a través de coletas realizadas dentro da zona fótica, a taxa de crescimento (r), taxa de rotatividade (T), Tempo de Geração (GT), Largura do nicho (NW), Power Taylor's Law, e a taxa de mudança da população (σs) foram utilizados. Análise de Correspondência Canônica (CCA) foi usado também. RESULTADOS: A densidade total foi 264.163,4 cel.L-1, a maior foi encontrada em Up Río Chico e a mais baixa na barragem. As espécie foi achada mais agrupada no espaço que no tempo. O valor de r variou entre 0,29 e 0,3 cel.d-1, GT entre 1,8 e 2,4 dias, T entre 0,55 e 0,42 divisões por dia, NW entre 0,58 e 0,72, e σs entre 0,3 e 2,3 d-1. Os três primeiros componentes da CCA explicaram 92,2% da variação. A densidade foi positivamente associado com clorofila a, NH4+, RWCS e direção do vento. A atenuação da luz, NO3-, SiO2 e O2 estiveram associados negativamente com C. furcoides. DISCUSSÃO: C. furcoides é um estrategista tipo S, aumenta sua densidade nos periodos mais quentes perante condições eutróficas, penetração de luz baixa e alta estabilidade térmica. A espécie é independente da temperatura, mas dependente das mudanças na precipitação e nutrientes, - especialmente nitrogênio - não fósforo solúvel. Up Río Chico apresentou as melhores condições para o aumento de C. furcoides, porque esta estação apresentou os mais altos níveis de nitrogênio total e a maior estabilidade relativa. CONCLUSÃO: C. furcoides tem uma ecologia muito semelhante a aquela de C. hirundinella; é um organismo altamente variável nas escalas temporal e espacial, com uma vasta gama de nicho e uma distribuição agregada. Pertence ao Grupo morfo-funcional V e às associações Lo e LM.

AIM: To establish the dynamics of C. furcoides in horizontal and temporal scales; and to determine the main ecological factors related to its dynamics. METHODS: Samples were taken in five stations between July 2002 and July 2003. Physical and chemical variables were sampled monthly. Density was evaluated by sampling carried out within the photic zone. Growth rate (r), Turnover rate (T), Generation Time (gt), Niche Width (NW), Taylor's Power Law, and the rate of population change (σs), were used. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used too. RESULTS: Total density was 264163.4 cel.L-1, the highest was found in Up Río Chico and the lowest in Dam. The species was more clustered in space than in time. r ranged between 0.29 and 0.3 cel.d-1, gt between 1.8 and 2.4 days, T between 0.55 and 0.42 divisions per day, NW between 0.58 and 0.72, and σs between 0.3 d-1 and 2.3 d-1. The first three components of CCA explained 92.2% of the variation. Density was positively associated with chlorophyll a, NH4+, RWCS and wind direction. Light attenuation, NO3-, SiO2 and O2 were negatively associated with C. furcoides. DISCUSSION: C. furcoides is a S strategist; it increases its density in the warmest periods under eutrophic conditions, low light penetration and high thermal stability; it is independent of the temperature but dependent of changes in rainfall and nutrients, - especially nitrogen - and not soluble phosphorus. Up Río Chico presented the best conditions for the increase of C. furcoides, since this station presented the highest levels of total nitrogen, and the highest relative stability. CONCLUSION: C. furcoides has a very similar ecology to that of C. hirundinella. It is an organism highly variable in temporal and spatial scales, with a wide niche and a clustered distribution. It belongs to the Morpho-funtional Group V and to Lo and L M Assotiations.

Entre septiembre de 2004 y junio de 2005 se estudió la relación entre la estructura del zooplancton y los cambios en el nivel del agua en la Ciénaga de Ayapel (Córdoba, Colombia) en once estaciones y seis muestreos. Mientras los rotíferos dominaron la riqueza de especies, los copépodos presentaron mayores abundancias representados principalmente por nauplios y copepoditos. A pesar de que la densidad de zooplancton no presentó diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el espacio ni en el tiempo, se encontró un aumento en la densidad del zooplancton durante la fase de llenado de la ciénaga.

The relationship between zooplankton structure and changes in the water level was studied between September 2004 and June 2005 in eleven sampling stations in the Ayapel floodplain lake (Córdoba, Colombia). The rotifers were the zooplankton group with the highest number of species while the copepods, represented principally by nauplii and copepodites, were the most abundant. Zooplankton density did not show statistically significant differences in the space nor in the time; however, it increased during the floodplain lake`s filling up phase.

Con el propósito de estudiar las características hidrobiológicas de dos columnas de agua en el embalse El Peñol-Guatapé, entre julio de 1992 y agosto de 1993 se realizaron muestreos mensuales en la cola del embalse y en aguas abiertas (Isla del Sol). En cada estación y a cinco profundidades se analizaron algunas variables fisicoquímicas, y en la zona eufótica se estudió la comunidad fitoplanctónica, excluyendo el grupo de las Diatomophyceas. En las dos estaciones se encontraron gradientes térmicos y químicos; desde el punto de vista hidrobiológico la calidad del agua fue oligomesotrófica. La producción primaria fue baja durante todo el período estudio y, al igual que las demás variables, estuvo fuertemente influida por la variación en los niveles del embalse en la época de estudio.

Between July of 1992 and August of 1993 and with the purpose of studying the hydrologic characteristics of two water columns in the Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir, monthly sampling in the reservoir's tail were carried out and in open water (Isla del sol). In each station and at five depths, some physical and chemical variables were analyzed; and in the fotic zone, the phytoplankton community was studied, excluding the Diatomophyceae group. Thermal and chemical gradients were found in the two stations and from the hydro-biological point of view, the quality of water was oligomesotrofic. The primary production was low during the entire period of sampling, and just as the other variables, it was deeply influenced by the variation in the reservoir levels at the time of study.