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The influence of Acilius (Dytiscidae) predation on Daphnia in a small pond
Author(s) -
Arts Michael T.,
Maly Edward J.,
Pasitschniak Maria
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1981.26.6.1172
Subject(s) - daphnia pulex , daphnia , predation , predator , biology , dytiscidae , cladocera , branchiopoda , ecology , diel vertical migration , zoology , zooplankton
Experiments were performed in 100‐liter cages in which Daphnia pulex and larvae of the predatory dytiscid Acilius semisulcatus were enclosed. Results indicate that individual predators have feeding rate coefficients >20 liters·d −1 on all sizes of Daphnia combined and that the vertical distribution of Daphnia >1 mm long is significantly altered by the presence of this predator. Density of Acilius was determined in a small pond near Montreal, and simple calculations suggest that this macroinvertebrate predator, although occurring at a low density, may exert considerable influence on the numbers of Daphnia in the pond.