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Differences between two species of Daphnia in the use of 10 species of algae in Lake Washington 1
Author(s) -
Infante Aida,
Litt Ami H.
Publication year - 1985
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.1985.30.5.1053
Subject(s) - daphnia , biology , algae , botany , biomass (ecology) , fragilaria , ecology , phytoplankton , nutrient , zooplankton
The ability of Daphnia pulicaria and Daphnia thorata to grow and reproduce when given the same concentrations of single species of algae was compared. The 10 algae selected included some of those most frequently found in the guts of Daphnia in Lake Washington. Clearing rates were determined and consumption of food expressed as number of cells ingested per day, cell volume, and carbon content. Cryptomonas erosa and Stephanodiscus hantzschii supported the highest egg production and increase in biomass. Colonial forms ( Asterionella formosa, Fragilaria crotonensis, Tabellaria fenestrata, and Melosira italica ) were less favorable as food. Growth and reproduction were lowest with Chlorella sp. and Melosira italica tenuissima. Daphnia pulicaria grew and reproduced faster than D. thorata with 7 of the 10 food species. The greater success of D. pulicaria than of D. thorata in the lake may be explained partly by its ability to use more effectively the energy available in a variety of foods.