Algological Studies 115 129–143 Stuttgart, April 2005

Population dynamics of Botryococcus braunii

KÜTZING 1849 in a shallow tropical eutrophic lake

By JOHN J. RAMÍREZ R. and MÓNICA CORBACHO O.

Universidad de Antioquia, Instituto de Biología, Medellín, Colombia

With 4 figures and 2 tables in the text

Abstract: A total of 51 samples, one per week, were taken from March 1999 to Febru-
ary 2000 at a sampling station in Parque Norte lake. Values for physical, chemical, bio-
logical and weather variables related to the population dynamics of Botryococcus brau-
nii were estimated. Significant density changes among samples were determined by
Anova; temporal arrangement by Dispersion Index (DI = 28.2 %; contagious) and Coef-
ficient of Variation (CV = 35.8 %; contagious), and niche width by Shannon and Weaver
Standard Index (A = 97.0 %; high). Additionally, the species growth rate (0.12 ind per
day), generation time (5.9 d) and its change rate (generally low) were estimated. Vari-
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able correlation was analyzed by Principal Component Analysis (component I = 62.1 %,

component II = 16.7 %, from total variance). B. braunii was the dominant species (mean
density = 108 000 ind per l) and was found together with two other species from the
same genus Botryococcus sp. and B. terribilis. The latter increased its density at the
times B. braunii’s decreased. The number of colonies of B. braunii outnumbered the
other colonies. The most frequent number of globules per colony of B. braunii was from
1 to 3; a greater number of globules would imply greater weight and greater energy ex-
penditure to remain in suspension. Its success in this body of water is due to the low
rates of hydraulic washout (residence time high), settling (the species abounds with oils
to float), and grazing (e. g. Arctodiaptomus dorsalis, Brachionus plicatilis and Moina
macrophtalma; all filtering zooplankton found in Parque Norte lake). Physiological
death was the main cause of biomass reduction. B. braunii was positively correlated to
NO3– (r = 0.76), free CO2 (r = 0.76) and total alkalinity (r = 0.53) and was negatively
correlated to light attenuation, pH (both with r = – 0.76), pigment ratio; chlorophyll a
(r = – 0.45), and light radiation (r = – 0.32). B. braunii is an S strategic species, it blooms
twice a year; its density is high and it has a wide niche range. Its niche overlapped those
of Botryococcus sp. and B. terribilis. B. braunii was found to have a contagious tempo-
ral disposition with individuals randomly distributed within the patches. Its generation
time was high and its turn over rate was low too, as it is characteristic of S strategic
species.

Key words: Shallow lake, eutrophic lake, population dynamics, Chlorococcales,

Botryococcus, B.braunii.

DOI:10.1127/1864-1318/2005/0115-0129 0342-1123/04/0156-129 $ 3.75

www.schweizerbart.de © 2005 E. Schweizerbart’scheVerlagsbuchhandlung, D-70176 Stuttgart
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Algological Studies 115 = Arch. Hydrobiol. Suppl. 156