Appearance of the rotifer community as a potential indicator of stable paleohydrological conditions in peatlands since the Late Glacial: a case study of three wetlands in Poland

In paleolimnological studies, rotifers are usually a very rare component in multiproxy research. These small invertebrates are identified from sediments by their loricas. Analysis of subfossil rotifers was conducted for sediment cores collected from three peatlands in within Poland: the Grel raised bog (S Poland, Carpathians, Orawa-Nowy Targ Basin), the Imszar raised bog (NE Poland, Podlasie Region), and the Podemszczyzna peatland (SE Poland, Sandomierz Basin). Results were compared with multiproxy analyses of peat deposits: pollen of aquatic and mire plants, non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs), and geochemical analyses. Analysis of the rotifers indicated the occurrence of the bdelloid species Habrotrocha angusticollis (Murray, 1905). In all profiles of the studied peatlands, the occurrence of rotifers was not correlated with pollen of aquatic or mire plants or NPPs; they seem to be more related to geochemical indices. The highest densities of rotifers were found in profile sections without significant fluctuations of geochemical variables, i.e. those with higher Na/K (chemical denudation) ratios and stable redox conditions (Fe/Mn ratio). The study of subfossil rotifers supported by multiproxy analysis of peat deposits could be a useful tool for indication of periods with stable palaeohydrological conditions during the Late Glacial and Holocene.

Automated summary

In paleolimnological studies, it was found that rotifers are rarely observed and are more related to geochemical indices rather than pollen or non-pollen palynomorphs. The presence of the bdelloid species Habrotrocha angusticollis in sediment cores from peatlands in Poland suggests stable palaeohydrological conditions during the Late Glacial and Holocene. The density of rotifers was highest in profile sections with stable geochemical variables, indicating a potential correlation between rotifers and stable palaeohydrological conditions.