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Phosphorus distribution in three crustacean zooplankton species
Author(s) -
Vrede Tobias,
Andersen Tom,
Hessen Dag O.
Publication year - 1999
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.1999.44.1.0225
Subject(s) - daphnia galeata , biology , daphnia magna , carapace , branchiopoda , moulting , cladocera , intraspecific competition , zooplankton , crustacean , daphnia , plankton , phosphorus , zoology , botany , ecology , chemistry , toxicity , larva , organic chemistry
The distribution of phosphorus (P) was assessed in homogeneously 33 P‐labeled Daphnia magna , Daphnia galeata and Eudiaptomus gracilis . The specific P contents were 1.48, 1.41, and 0.50% of dry weight (DW), respectively. The results support the view of low intraspecific variability in P : DW ratios in crustacean zooplankton. The fraction of P allocated to nucleic acids, phospholipids, and other P compounds was assessed in D. galeata and E. gracilis . In both species, the major pool, 35–69% of the total P content, was associated with nucleic acids. This fraction decreased with both body size (age) of D. galeata and E. gracilis and with the reproductive rate of D. galeata . D. magna and D. galeata revealed similar patterns of P allocation between body, carapace, and eggs. The carapace contained approximately 14% of the total P content. If most P is not reabsorbed from the exoskeleton prior to molting, the molting will result in a substantial P drain both from the individual and, at times, from the entire planktonic system.