Pollution-driven morphological plasticity in a running water ecosystem

Abstract

Various types of pollutants derived from rapid industrialization and urbanization have largely threaten biodiversity and functioning of freshwater ecosystems globally. Morphological plasticity, especially body size-associated traits, is considered a functional response to water pollution in species, as such changes are often directly related to functioning of freshwater ecosystems through dynamics of food webs. However, detailed dynamics of pollution impacts on morphological plasticity remain largely unknown, particularly in the wild. Here, we used the model planktonic rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus to assess morphological response to chemical pollution in a river reach disturbed by sewage discharges. Multiple analyses showed dynamic morphological response to water pollution in wild B. calyciflorus populations. The distance between anterior lateral spines, lorica length, and egg short diameter were the most sensitive morphological indicators to water pollution, while spine length was stable in varied pollution conditions. Interestingly, body size and egg size were increased with accentuated water pollution, suggesting that wild populations maintain fitness by increasing feeding efficiency and reducing vulnerability to predation and ensure survival by producing large newborns in polluted environments. Total ammonia nitrogen was the leading nitrogen pollutant affecting body size, while total phosphorus and elements of Mn and As were the key factors relating to egg size. The results obtained here provide new sights into biological consequences of environmental pollution in the wild, thus advancing our understanding of pollution impacts on structure and functioning of freshwater ecosystems.

Keywords: Ammonia nitrogen; Body size; Brachionus calyciflorus; Freshwater; Morphological response; Water pollution.