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Growth and reproduction of the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia from a forested floodplain swamp
Author(s) -
Anderson David H.,
Benke Arthur C.
Publication year - 1994
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.1994.39.7.1517
Subject(s) - swamp , floodplain , ceriodaphnia dubia , cladocera , branchiopoda , reproduction , zooplankton , ecology , environmental science , biology
Microcrustaceans are abundant in many freshwater wetlands, including forested floodplain swamps, but little has been done to assess their secondary production and functional role in these systems. Since standard cohort approaches to estimating secondary production are impossible with continuously growing and reproducing microcrustaceans, it is necessary to obtain independent determinations of their growth and reproductive characteristics under environmental conditions encountered in their natural habitat throughout the year. The growth and reproduction of Ceriodaphnia dubia fed natural swamp seston were measured at 10, 15, 20, and 25°C—temperatures which span much of the annual temperature range in southeastern floodplain swamps. Somatic biomass growth rates were as high as 61% d −1 . Total growth rates (somatic tissue and egg mass) reached 95% d −1 . Both somatic growth rates and total growth rates could be described as functions of individual size and temperature. High egg production, particularly in the larger instars, resulted in individuals maintaining high total growth rates (>20% d −1 at most temperatures) over the lifespan. Lifetime egg production accounted for >50% of biomass produced by individuals at all temperatures and >80% for temperatures ≥20°C. Somatic growth rates for C. dubia fed swamp seston were within the range of literature estimates for other species of Ceriodaphnia under various food conditions.