A three year study of seasonal dynamics of a zoobenthos community in a eutrophic lake

The meiofauna community in the eutrophic Lake Obersee was investigated, with special emphasis on nematodes, from March 2001 to December 2003. Meiobenthos showed a stable annual and seasonal pattern with oligochaetes contributing most to benthic biomass and nematodes to benthic abundance. With 152 nematode species, Lake Obersee is the most nematode species-rich lentic habitat described so far. The nematode community was dominated by the family Monhysteridae. Bacterial feeders were the most abundant feeding type; omnivorous nematodes contributed most to total nematode biomass. Reproduction occurred throughout the year, with most species reproducing parthenogenetically. No seasonal pattern in reproductive strategies was found.