Cel Lake Baikal is without any doubt the most fascinating lake in the world. It is at the same time the deepest (1650 m, with well-oxygenated abyssal waters and sediments) and oldest existing lake holding no less than one fifth of the total non-frozen surface freshwater of the world. The fauna of the lake is very diverse and, for the largest part, endemic. These endemic organisms constitute by far the most important portion of the lake-wide ecosystem. Therefore Lake Baikal is a unique field laboratory for evolutionary research, where endemic species, species-flocks and communities can be investigated in the biotope in which they have evolved. Lake Baikal offers the opportunity to elucidate ecological aspects in speciation processes. In the present research project, the competitive exclusion principle will be tested on more or less closely related species within their species-flocks. Phylogenetic distances will be measured by morphological, biochemical and karyological analyses. The amount of habitat segregation which has resulted in or is necessary for speciation, will be analysed in the benthic communities of soft sediments. The foreseen taxa are the Oligochaeta, Gammaridae, Ostracoda, Isopoda, Chironomidae, Copepoda, Mollusca and Turbellaria. Quantitative sampling will be effected in bathymetric transects in relation to specific environmental factors, i.e. depth, temperature and oxygen. Simultaneously, physiological adaptations in relation to niche specialisation and habitat adaptations will be investigated in selected taxa, i.e. Gammaridae and Oligochaeta (larger specimens and dominant biota in the profundal). Special attention will be given to osmolality, gigantism and growth in relation to depth and temperature. This approach appears to be unique and could initiate new hypotheses on the importance of ecological aspects in speciation. Program(-y) IC-INTAS - International Association for the promotion of cooperation with scientists from the independent states of the former Soviet Union (INTAS), 1993- Temat(-y) 41 - General Biology Zaproszenie do składania wniosków Data not available System finansowania Data not available Koordynator Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences Wkład UE Brak danych Adres Rue Vautier 29 1040 Bruxelles Belgia Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych Uczestnicy (2) Sortuj alfabetycznie Sortuj według wkładu UE Rozwiń wszystko Zwiń wszystko Limnological Institute Rosja Wkład UE Brak danych Adres 664033 Irkutsk Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych Russian Academy of Sciences - Siberian Branch Rosja Wkład UE Brak danych Adres 630090 Novosibirsk Zobacz na mapie Koszt całkowity Brak danych