AQUATIC COMMUNITIES OF CAROLINA BAYS:

Seasonal ponds in Carolina bays and other isolated depressional wetlands on the SRS support rich aquatic communities. Complementing SREL studies on other taxa, our work has focussed on the invertebrates and their trophic roles in these communities.

Aglaodiaptomus atomicus, new species

Scientific importance

Described rich invertebrate fauna with a diversity of adaptations to the hydrologic unpredictability of the ponds

Documented local and regional biogeographic patterns

Determined that oligochaetes and chironomids contributed the bulk of secondary production in Rainbow Bay Documented high genetic differentiation among microcrustaceans, indicating low exchange of immigrants among ponds Documented rapid appearance of microcrustaceans in a hydrologically restored bay, indicating repopulation from pre-existing resting stages

Resting egg of the cladoceran Simocephalus

Relevance to DOE

Provided baseline data on species composition and ecological functions of these wetlands for future land-use planning

External funding

South Carolina Heritage Trust Program