Online first articles

The food web in the fishless lakes of Sierra Nevada is largely shaped by several environmental factors, primarily depth and morphometry. Over the past 50 years, numerous studies have explored the trophic compartments of these ecosystems, with a primary focus on the taxonomy and ecology of planktonic species and coleopterans. This paper synthesizes research in these areas. In terms of taxonomy, several species have been recorded for the first time worldwide, such as the chrysophyte Chromulina nevadensis. Other plankton species have been newly documented in Spain, including the diatom Achnanthidium macrocephalum and the rotifer Trichocerca relicta, while Daphnia cf. pulex have been reported for the first time in European high mountain lakes. Ecological research has also focused on biodiversity, life history strategies, stoichiometry and trophic interactions. Key findings include: (i) low species richness and the Shannon-Wiener diversity in planktonic communities; (ii) temperature and mineralization as likely primary drivers of zooplankton composition;  (iii) evidence supporting the concept of rheostasis in zooplankton; (iv) pioneering insights into links between organismal stoichiometry and life-history strategies; (v) broad trophic niches in dytiscid beetles, which primarily feed on zooplankton; (vi) discovery of a mutualistic relationship between an epibiont green algae and Daphnia; and (vii) the significant role of multiple interacting environmental factors on the algae-bacteria relationship.