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Differences in particle size‐dependent feeding efficiencies of closely related rotifer species
Author(s) -
Rothhaupt Karl .
Publication year - 1990
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.1990.35.1.0016
Subject(s) - brachionus calyciflorus , rotifer , brachionus , biology , particle size , selection (genetic algorithm) , particle (ecology) , zoology , food science , ecology , paleontology , artificial intelligence , computer science
Size‐selective feeding of four Brachionus strains was studied with three experimental setups: selection between polystyrene spheres of different sizes in short‐term (10 min) feeding experiments, selection between pairs of dual‐labeled algal taxa in short‐term feeding experiments, and selection among three algal taxa in long‐term (24 h) feeding experiments. Food size preferences were related to body sizes between strains but not within one strain ( Brachionus calyciflorus ). Brachionus angularis preferred food items <5‐ µ m equivalent spherical diameter (ESD), Brachionus rubens strain F fed most efficiently on particles ∼5‐ µ m ESD, and B. calyciflorus on particles of ∼10‐ µ m ESD. Brachionus rubens strain B ingested particles from 3.5‐ to 12‐ µ m ESD equally well. Apart from particle size effects, feeding was unselective. Polystyrene spheres of the appropriate sizes were ingested readily.