Diversity, dynamics of distribution, and structure of communities of benthic alien species in Saratov Reservoir

Abstract

The year-to-year and seasonal dynamics of the diversity and distribution of alien species in benthic communities of the Saratov Reservoir is given on the basis of the results of studies in 2009–2012. The dependence of alien species distribution on environmental factors, such as oxygen content, ion composition, temperature, and pH, is presented. It is shown that the highest invasive activity among alien species is inherent in mussels Dreissena rostriformis bugensis, polychaetes Hypania invalida, and amphipods Dikerogammarus haemobaphes and Chaetogammarus warpachowskyi in the deep water of the reservoir and gastropods Lithoglyphus naticoides in the near-shore area.