Illustrated World Catalog of the Phylum Rotifera: Survey and Inventory of Rotifers from Freshwaters in Northern Mongolia

Academy Of Natural Sciences Philadelphia, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Abstract

Intellectual Merit: The proposed research on northern Mongolian Rotifera will be the most comprehensive survey of a group of freshwater microinvertebrates ever conducted in Mongolia. It will address biodiversity issues such as discovery of new species, ecology, and biogeography of a little known group in an unexplored ecoregion. Specimen-level information and locality data will be incorporated into the database that will be web-accessible through the Academy's website. All data will be fully geo-referenced to facilitate mapping and GIS applications. Newly discovered rotifers will be described in scientific journals available to rotifer specialists, and permanent slide preparations will be integrated in the ANSP collection. Biodiversity issues are further addressed by drawing on the pooled resources and expertise of taxonomists specializing on other little studied micro-invertebrate taxa (ciliated Protozoa, Copepoda, Cladocera, Tardigrada). Broader Impact: To aid in advancing scientific research and to support biodiversity conservation in Mongolia, a local reference collection will be started in Ulaanbaatar. Taxonomic and curatorial training of local students and collaborating scientists will help build in-country expertise for future biodiversity studies. Our survey will not only generate basic biodiversity data, but it will also provide a baseline for future ecological integrity assessment of Mongolian aquatic habitats that suffer from accelerating anthropogenic stress (agriculture, over-grazing, mining) and climate-triggered changes (permafrost thaw) in their biota. With its public outreach, the website can touch broader audiences and increase awareness for the "invisible life in a water drop", thereby reducing the "minor phylum" image and expand general research on the Rotifera.