Inhibition of development of anti-predator morphology in the small cladoceran Bosmina by an insecticide: impact of an anthropogenic chemical on prey–predator interactions

1. The combined effect of the insecticide carbaryl and the predator (Leptodora kindtii) kairomone was assessed on the development of protuberant morphology in the small cladoceran Bosmina fatalis, a feature which evolved originally as a response to the kairomone. The experiment showed that Bosmina changed its morphology in response to the kairomone, but development was inhibited by carbaryl at a sub‐lethal concentration even in the presence of the kairomone. At the same time, reduction of fecundity was observed in animals exposed to carbaryl. 2. A short‐term feeding experiment (B. fatalis versus Leptodora) indicated that such low concentrations of the insecticide had no impact on predation by Leptodora. Thus, it is suggested that the inhibition of development of anti‐predatory defences in Bosmina can increase its vulnerability to predation. 3. Such disturbance of chemical communication by the insecticide reduces the individual survival rate of prey Bosmina in the environment with high predator density. On the other hand, reduction of fecundity may result in decreased population growth rate of animals. 4. The impact of the insecticide on the anti‐predator morphology in Bosmina (inhibition) was opposite to that in Daphnia (enhancement). This suggests that biochemical induction processes in the development of anti‐predatory morphology are evolutionally different between Daphnia and Bosmina.     

Synergistic effects of food shortage and an insecticide on a <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphnia</Emphasis> population: rapid decline of food density at the peak of population density reduces tolerance to the chemical and induces a large population crash

Laboratory populations of cloned Daphnia magna were exposed at different population phases (growing phase, density peak, stable phase) to the insecticide carbaryl at 15 μg 1⁻¹, which was harmful to juveniles but not to adults, and their population dynamics were analyzed. The population declined most at the density peak, when not only juveniles but also many adult individuals died. To analyze the factors affecting population vulnerability to carbaryl, acute toxicity tests were conducted using Daphnia individuals of different body sizes under different food conditions. The test revealed that daphnid sensitivity to carbaryl increased greatly when food density was changed from a high food level to a low level. This food condition, of low availability, might be the condition to which the Daphnia populations were exposed at their density peak. The synergism of the negative impacts of anthropogenic and natural stresses such as insecticides and food shortage may control aquatic populations.     

The Polyarthra escape from response: Defense against interference from Daphnia

Direct observations show that almost all (97%) Polyarthra remata caught in the inhalant current of Daphnia pulex avoid inhalation by initiating escape responses. Microvideographic analysis shows that these responses are initiated, on average, 0.24 mm (about 2.5 body lengths) from the inhalant opening of the branchial chamber, when the Polyarthra are moving at a velocity of about 1.4 mm s^–1 (about 6 times their normal swimming speed — 0.24 mm s^–1). The stimulus for the escape response could be rapid acceleration or, more likely, shear. The average distance traveled during an escape response is at least 1.25 mm (about 12 body lengths).The Polyarthra escape response can provide a very effective defense against interference from Daphnia and may greatly increase the ability of Polyarthra spp. to coexist with Daphnia.     

Toxicity of the new pyrethroid insecticide,deltamethrin, to Daphnia magna

The toxicity of deltamethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, was determined under standardized conditions (ISO, 1982) in neonates and juveniles of Daphnia magna. Neonates (6 to 24 h old) were more sensitive than juveniles (48 to 72 h old). The 24- and 48-h EC₅₀s (immobilization) in neonates were 0.113 and 0.031 µg l^–1, respectively. The toxicity of deltamethrin was highly toxic. The 96-h EC₅₀ was in the ppt (µg l^–1) range. Toxicity tests with Daphnia may be used to detect toxic residues in water and sediment in areas treated with deltamethrin and other highly toxic pyrethroid pesticides.     

Feeding rate inhibition in crowded Daphnia pulex

Feeding rates of Daphnia pulex fed a range of levels of the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardi of 15 °C are strongly density-dependent. At lower densities, Daphnia (30 1^–1) fed at higher rates than crowded (270 1^–1) Daphnia which manifest a relatively depressed saturation feeding response. At 30 individuals/liter, Daphnia consumed 8.5 – 15.7 × 10⁴ cells d^–1h^–1 (on a volume basis, 12.1 – 22.2 × 10⁶ m³), at 270 L^–1 3.7 – 3.9 × 10⁴ (5.2 – 5.5 = 10⁶ m³ cells d^–1h^–1 when feeding on algae at 80 000 cells ml^–1 (11.3 × 10⁶ m³ ml^–1). The feeding rate data best fit an Ivlev feeding function. An autoallelopath might be causing the repression. Water preconditioned with crowded Daphnia completely repressed feeding in uncrowded Daphnia after six hours.     

The photoprotective role of humus-DOC for Selenastrum and Daphnia

Cell numbers and fluorescence of the green algae Selenastrum capricornutuum and survival of Daphnia magna exposed to simulated sun-light was assessed along a gradient of DOC (0, 1, 5 10 and 50 mg C l^–1). When exposed to UV-doses and spectral distribution (295–750 nm) closely resembling surface solar radiation during mid summer, Selenastrum showed major losses of cell fluorescence. In the absence of DOC, fluorescence was severely depressed, with successively decreasing effects with increased DOC. Surviving cells also required an extensive recovery period (10–12 d) for regrowth after exposure, while an almost immediate recovery was observed at concentrations above 1 mg DOC l^–1. For Daphnia, survival was reduced to less than 10% after 4 h exposure, and almost zero after 8 h exposure in the absence of humus DOC, while no effects were observed in treatments with 10 and 50 mg C l^–1. Selenastrum and Daphnia that were not directly irradiated, but exposed to UV-irradiated water with the same concentrations of DOC did not reveal negative effects. This indicates negligible indirect effects mediated by long-lived free radicals or other toxic compounds. Irradiation of Daphnia under increased oxygen concentration (200% saturation) did not indicate acute effects, suggesting that effects of ambient radicals and oxidants would be of minor importance relative to intracellular photoproducts.     

Food consumption of Sarotherodon mossambicus (Trewaves) exposed to sublethal concentration of diammonium phosphate

S. mossambicus was exposed to toxic and sublethal concentrations of the fertilizer diammonium phosphate (0.2 to 1.0 g l^–1). Mortality, food utilization and growth were studied. At a concentration of 0.6 g l^–1 DAP, 100% mortality was observed within 96 h; no mortality occurred at 0.5 g l^–1; LC50 was 0.55 g l^–1. Rearing the fish in increasing sublethal concentrations of DAP, it was found that the feeding rate decreased from 25.4 mg g^–1 fish^–1 d^–1 (fish reared in DAP-free water) to 10.1 mg g^–1 d^–1 at the highest sublethal concentration (0.5 g l^–1). Growth rate was drastically reduced. At high sublethal concentrations of DAP, the fish lost reserve energy, in addition to the energy obtained from food intake for survival, as a result of increased swimming activity and opercular beats.     

Effects of Microcystis aeruginosa on interference competition between Daphnia pulex and Keratella cochlearis

Laboratory experiments tested the hypothesis that a toxic strain of Microcystis aeruginosa decreases the ability of Daphnia pulex to interfere with Keratella cochlearis. To test a variety of conditions, juvenile and adult Daphnia were exposed to the cyanobacterium for different time periods prior to, and during the experiments. Adult Daphnia not only suppressed rotifers over successive two-day intervals, but also had a significant impact within a 24-hour period. However, the presence of Microcystis (5 × 105 cells ml^–1) decreased the Daphnia effect in both experiments. Although juvenile Daphnia also significantly suppressed Keratella population growth, the presence of Microcystis (10⁵ and 5 × 10⁵ cells ml^–1) caused a significant reduction in daphniid body size and decreased the ability of both nonacclimated and acclimated daphniids to suppress rotifers. Keratella inhalation and mortality are positively correlated with filtering rates and body size of Daphnia. Therefore, the feeding rates and size structure of a Daphnia population will determine its potential to interfere with vulnerable rotifers. In all experiments the presence of Microcystis significantly decreased the ability of Daphnia to interfere with this rotifer despite the fact that Keratella was also inhibited. In the field this effect might be augmented if Microcystis colonies are more easily ingested by cladocerans than by the rotifers.     

Complex effects of a kairomone of Chaoborus and an insecticide on Daphnia pulex

Daphnia pulex were reared in Chaoborus-conditioned water containingthe insecticide carbaryl, and their life history parametersand morphologies were investigated. The insecticide inhibitedthe animals' growth and reproduction and delayed their maturationtime more intensely in the chaoborus-conditioned water thanin the control Chaoborus-free water, indicating that a kairomoneof Chaoborus made the Daphnia more sensitive to the insecticide.The Chaoborus conditioned water induced neckteeth formationof D.pulex in instars 1–2 and elongated the intermoultingperiod of juveniles. The moulting to the spined morphs and elongationin duration of juvenile stages seemed to increase the risk ofdamage from the insecticide. The potential population growthrate of D.pulex in treatments was estimated as a possible fitnessindicator of the animals. It was reduced synergistically bythe kairomone of Chaoborus and the insecticide. Some individualskept neckteeth until the third or fourth instar stage when theywere exposed to sublethal concentrations of the insecticidein the Chaoborus-conditioned water. This was considered as aresult of synergistic effects of both the kairomone and theinsecticide. Insecticides may be a factor inducing further developmentof protuberant structures in cyclomorphic Daphnia in naturalwater bodies.     

Seasonal dynamics of metabolic activity of the Daphnia community in Lake Bled (Slovenia)

Seasonal changes of the community composition, oxygen consumption (R) and respiratory electron transport system (ETS)-activity of the Daphnia community living in Lake Bled (Slovenia) were studied between January and December 1998. The ETS activity of ovigerous Daphnia females at in situ temperature ranged from 3.27 l O₂ mg dw^–1 h^–1 in February to 20.91 l O₂ mg dw^–1 h^–1 in July. Respiration rates at in situ temperature varied from 4.04 l O₂ mg dw^–1h^–1 in December to 18.68 l O₂ mg dw^–1 h^–1in July. The influence of four factors (temperature, body size, fecundity, genetic differences) on the metabolism were investigated. Both ETS activity and respiration rate significantly correlated with temperature. The proportion of hybrid D. cucullata× galeata in Daphnia community correlated significantly with respiration rate at in situtemperature and ETS activity at standard temperature also. ETS activity and respiration rate showed no significant correlation with body size and the fecundity of Daphnia, whereas ETS activity in D. hyalina × galeata and D. cucullata× galeataseparately correlated with body size. ETS activity of D. hyalina × galeata also was correlated with fecundity. Hybrid D. hyalina× galeata had up to one third lower ETS activity than D. cucullata× galeata. The mean ETS/R ratio in the Daphnia community was 1.16±0.28 (N= 12). The ETS/R ratio did not correlate significantly with temperature, body size, fecundity or the proportion of D. cucullata× galeatain the Daphnia community. Laboratory experiments showed that both hybrids had similar ETS/R ratios.     

Four different head shapes in Daphnia hyalina (Leydig) induced by the presence of larvae of Chaoborus flavicans (Meigen)

In many species of Daphnia spines, neck teeth, and enlarged or reshaped helmets are well-known as defences against invertebrate predators. Until now, Daphnia hyalina (Leydig, 1860), a common species in many European lakes, has appeared to be an exception to this rule.Here, we provide evidence that the larvae of Chaoborus flavicans (Meigen) also can induce morphological changes in D. hyalina. Specimens react morphologically to the presence of larvae in three ways: (a) by changes in the shape of head shield, (b) by the formation of spine(s) on the head, and (c) by the elongation of the tail spine. The frequency and intensity of these morphological changes are correlated positively with midge larvae densities. The most pronounced reactions occurred in young D. hyalina.The predator kairomone also induced changes in Daphnia body size.     

Prey preference and utilization by Mesostoma lingua (Turbellaria,Rhabdocoela) at a low arctic site

The rhabdocoel Mesostoma lingua is a common inhabitant of rock bluff ponds in the area of Churchill, Manitoba. Unlike most flatworms it has the ability to prey actively on zooplankton. Among the zooplankton, Mesostoma prefers Daphnia pulex, Simocephalus vetulus, and Diaptomus tyrrelli. Larger calanoid copepods are difficult to capture and take much longer to consume. Growth in Mesostoma is maintained when individuals consume 0.5 Daphnia day^–1 and is maximal at 4 Daphnia day^–1. In comparison, Mesostoma maintained growth only when offered the copepod Diaptomus victoriaensis at the rate of 8–10 individuals-day^–1. Mesostoma may be an important agent in structuring pond zooplankton communities in the arctic, producing a shift in dominance away from cladocerans such as Daphnia toward larger calanoid copepods.     

Costs of Predator Avoidance Reduce Competitive Ability of Daphnia

Large-sized Daphnia hyalina×galeata hybrid and small-sized Ceriodaphnia reticulata were raised together for 3 weeks in thermally stratified flow-through tubes ('plankton organ'), in the presence and the absence of fish kairomone, and their relative performance was monitored, as indicated by the populations' growth rates (r). In the kairomone-free medium, D. hyalina grew faster than C. reticulata; the presence of kairomone reversed this ratio, producing relatively higher r in C. reticulata. The simulated fish presence reduced growth in D. hyalina population also when it was separated from the competitor, while growth in C. reticulata was altered by the kairomone only in the presence of Daphnia. It is suggested that costs of surface avoidance in Daphnia can reduce its competitive superiority to small-sized cladocerans, permanently dwelling at the surface.     

On the control of HAB species using low biosurfactant concentrations

Biosurfactants have been suggested as a method to control harmful algal blooms (HABs), but warrant further and more in-depth investigation. Here we have investigated the algicidal effect of a biosurfactant produced by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa on five diverse marine and freshwater HAB species that have not been tested previously. These include Alexandrium minutum (Dinophycaee), Karenia brevis (Dinophyceae), Pseudonitzschia sp. (Bacillariophyceae), in marine ecosystems, and Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae) and Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanophyecae) in freshwater. We examined not only lethal but also sub-lethal effects of the biosurfactant. In addition, the effect of the biosurfactant on Daphnia was tested. Our conclusions were that very low biosurfactant concentrations (5 μg mL⁻¹) decreased both the photosynthesis efficiency and the cell viability and that higher concentrations (50 μg mL⁻¹) had lethal effects in four of the five HAB species tested. The low concentrations employed in this study and the diversity of HAB genera tested suggest that biosurfactants may be used to either control initial algal blooms without causing negative side effect to the ecosystem, or to provoke lethal effects when necessary.     

Factors influencing Gonyostomum semen blooms in a small boreal reservoir lake

Blooms of the nuisance alga Gonyostomum semen occurred in Lake 979 (Experimental Lakes Area), a small brown-water lake, that was subjected to several years of an experimental flooding regime. During periods of flooding, blooms of G. semen developed when light decreased below 100molm^–2s^–1 and total phosphorous concentrations increased to >30gl^–1. Gonyostomum semen biomass was significantly correlated with total P and DOC concentrations. In addition, G. semen abundance increased at times when Daphnia rosea had rapidly declined to<10 animals l^–1. Daphnia egg ratios suggest that declines in Daphnia abundance were the result of shifts in mortality and not causally linked to changes in G. semen densities. The results observed in Lake 979 were supported by a laboratory experiment where the appearance of G. semen from Lake 979 sediment was stimulated by altering chemical and biological variables. The stimulation of G. semen blooms appears to be dependant on multiple variables rather than a single variable.     

Feeding behaviour and morphology of filtering combs of Daphnia galeata

The population of Daphnia galeata Sars from the fish pond Velký Pálenec (Blatná, Czechoslovakia) living in high food conditions (7 mgC l^–1) was characterized by a small size of the filtering comb on the thoracic limb 3, measured as seta length, length of the base of the comb and number of setae (population 1). One month cultivation of this population in low food conditions (1.5 mgC l^–1) in the laboratory resulted in twofold increase in size of the filtering comb (population 2). Filtering and ingestion rates of both populations were measured at eight concentrations of food (approximately 0.025–3.2 mgC l^–1) using ¹⁴C labeled Scenedesmus acutus. The results show that size of the filtering combs influences considerably feeding behavior of Daphnia. The comparison of animals with the same body length suggests that the population with a large comb feeds at concentration of food below 0.4 mgC l^–1 more intensively and reaches the maximum of the filtering rate at a lower concentration than the population with a small comb. The situation is opposite at concentration above 0.4 mgC l^–1. The higher values of theoretical flow in population with a small projection of filtering area suggest that this population has to compensate disadvantage of a small comb with the higher appendages beat frequency.     

Effects of crowding and different food levels on growth and reproductive investment of Daphnia

The effects of daphniid crowding on juvenile growth rate, length at first reproduction, clutch size and egg size of four species of Daphnia were compared with the effects of food level. Juvenile Daphnia were grown to primipary in a flow-through system in water conditioned by different densities of the same, or another, species. At high ambient food levels, water from Daphnia that had been crowded at densities 150 l^–1 depressed growth rate and lowered body size and clutch size of D. hyalina and D. galeata; effects on the same traits of D. magna and D. pulicaria were variable (stimulation, depression, or no effect). D. hyalina and D. galeata responded to gradients of increasing daphniid density (0–300 l^–1) by altering egg mass, somatic mass and clutch size to maintain a relatively constant reproductive investment; egg mass increased with crowding and then decreased in a pattern consistent with Glazier's (1992) hypothetical model of changes in offspring size in relation to food quantity and maternal demand. Effects of crowding by conspecifics were indistinguishable from those of other species. This study, which uncouples the effect of crowding per se from ambient resource depletion, shows that chemical substances released by high densities of Daphnia can cause changes in life-history traits comparable to those that occur in response to low food levels.     

Colony formation in Scenedesmus: a literature overview and further steps towards the chemical characterisation of the Daphnia kairomone

Semiochemicals play an important role in interactions between living organisms in aquatic environments. Although the presence of chemical cues is confirmed in more and more systems, the chemical structures remain predominantly elusive. To create more accurate prey–predator interaction models and to advance the research on chemical communication, it is essential to identify these compounds. A literature overview of cues involving Daphnia (either as producer or receiver) is given and the progress towards their isolation and structure elucidation is described. Most of the research so far has concentrated on the elucidation of kairomones produced by predators of Daphnia (especially Chaoborus and several species of fish). Although some progress has been made, these cues have not been isolated and identified yet. Additionally new results on the isolation and identification of the kairomone responsible for the colony formation in Scenedesmus using differential diagnosis and bioassay-directed fractionation of Daphnia exudates are presented. The importance of suitable and well performing bioassays herein cannot be underestimated. Some preliminary results with solid-phase extraction with C₁₈ proved to be reproducible for extracting the active compound from Daphnia water, although it was not possible to get the biological activity into a single fraction. The cue was not extractable with an anion exchanger (SAX). Subjecting the extract to HPLC led to one active fraction.     

Zooplankton induced decrease in inorganic phosphorus uptake by plankton in an oligotrophic lake

Experiments conducted on samples collected from a large oligotrophic lake revealed the following: (1) excretion rates of PO _inf4 ^sup3– by single Daphnia thorata were below detection (5 pmol animal^–1 min^–1) in 20 ml of oligotrophic lake water over a period of 10 min, (2) experimental addition of D. thorata to 20 ml aliquots of lake water decreased community-wide microbial uptake of PO _inf4 ^sup3– on two occasions (as measured by ³²PO _inf4 ^sup3– incorporation), and (3) the presence of D. thorata increased uptake by organisms smaller than 1µm, and decreased uptake by large phytoplankton. The specific mechanism for these responses remains unclear, but the results imply that when phytoplankton larger than 1µm encounter cm scale patches of water recently occupied by Daphnia they may experience decreased PO _inf4 ^sup3– availability rather than elevated concentrations of PO _inf4 ^sup3– caused by excretion. We show that ³²P uptake experiments using natural plankton assemblages can be influenced by the presence or absence of large zooplankton, and that neither grazing, turbulence, nor PO _inf4 ^sup3– excretion can account for this influence.     

Experimental evidence of negative interference in Daphnia magna

Individuals of Daphnia magna Straus living together in groups were found to influence each other in a density-dependent manner. The effect appeared as an inhibition in offspring production and was demonstrated to be induced in part or completely by metabolic products released by Daphnia itself (negative interference). Negative interference was measurable even when there were only two individuals in 50 ml medium (40 animals · 1^–1) and increased up to a density of six animals per 50 ml (120 animals · 1^–1). Also, animals living singly in Daphnia-conditioned water showed a decrease in reproduction. For the measurements a cascade of vessels was developed in which flow-through conditions ensured a constant concentration of algae throughout the system.