Diversity and abundance of protozoa in the Laurentian Great Lakes, two years of data

Though there are relatively few studies, literature suggests heterotrophic protists play an important role in Laurentian Great Lakes food webs. In 2022, we incorporated identification and enumeration of these protists into the USEPA’s Great Lakes Biology Monitoring Program, which investigates the base of Great Lakes pelagic food webs. We aim to develop a Great Lakes faunal library for protozoans and examine how these communities change spatially (across all five lakes) and temporally (seasonally and annually). Preliminary data reveal a large diversity of Ciliophora (Oligotrichea, Gymnostomatea, Prostomatea, Oligohymenophorea, and Kinetofragminophora), Choanoflagellates, and Sarcodina. We will present the first two years of data and demonstrate the importance of the continued monitoring of these abundant organisms.

Presentation Preference: Oral

Primary Presenter: Elizabeth Alexson, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth (alexs005@d.umn.edu)

Authors:

Elizabeth Alexson, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth  (alexs005@d.umn.edu)

Euan Reavie, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth  (ereavie@d.umn.edu)

Holly Wellard Kelly, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth  (hwellard@d.umn.edu)

Leah Schleppenbach, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth  (egan0133@d.umn.edu)