Taphocenoses of temporary ponds in the steppe zone of European Russia by algo-zoological analysis of recent sediments

Abstract

Subfossil algae and invertebrates in the surface sediments of 26 small ponds in Saratov and Volgograd regions have been studied. Algo-zoolgical analysis of recent (surface silt) sediments has been performed. The characteristic features of taphocenoses in temporary ponds of the region under study are revealed, which distinguish them from proportionate ponds in the forest zone. It is found that sediments in the studied temporary ponds are characterized by low concentrations and diversity of biological remains, with the dominance of diatom frustules; Testacea, Ostracoda, and Spongilla sp. spicules are the predominant zoogenic remains. It is revealed that additional subfossil material can be obtained by rinsing sediments and analyzing sieve residues.