Short-term productivity responses of algae and bacteria to zooplankton grazing in two freshwater lakes

SUMMARY. 1. The specific productivities of algae and bacteria were measured in short-term (4 day) experiments consisting of enclosures with natural or reduced zooplankton biomass. Experiments were repeated five times over a season in each of two lakes that differed in the background concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC).
2. Algal biomass as estimated by chlorophyll a was suppressed in enclosures with ambient grazer levels in six of ten experiments and enhanced in one experiment. Distribution of chlorophyll among net and nanoplankton was not significantly affected by grazing.
3. Relative to enclosures with reduced zooplankton, normal grazer biomass (97–466μg 1⁻¹ dry weight) enhanced specific algal productivity in only one of five experiments in the low DOC take and had no effect in all five experiments in the high DOC lake. The main effects of grazers on algae was through removal of biomass rather than through indirect changes in turnover rate.
4. Between experiments, bacterial density was either unaffected, or mildly enhanced (4–87%) in enclosures with ambient macrozooplankton compared to those with reduced levels. Bacterial productivity and turnover estimated by incorporation of [³H]thymidine into DNA showed different responses across experiments; increasing, declining or remaining the same with grazer minipulation. This variability was not related to differences in dissolved primary production or to background DOC between lakes or experiments. Comparison of bacterial productivities based on thymidine incorporation rates with changes in cell densities indicated that control of bacterial loss processes by macrozooplankton is more important than control of growth rates.     

Are there associations between grain-filling rate and photosynthesis in the flag leaves of field-grown rice?

Rate of grain filling in terms of dry mass accumulated per panicle per day was measured in field-grown rice in the dry season in the Philippines and compared to rates of light-saturated photosynthesis per unit leaf area (P(max)) measured at 350 micro l l(-1) CO(2) for 21 d after flowering. Five new plant type (tropical japonica) varieties (NPT) and one indica variety (IR72) were used and these gave some variation in rates and patterns of grain filling. A rapid grain-filling phase (RGFP) occurred approximately 10 d after flowering in most varieties. There was no consistent relationship in any variety between the rate of grain-filling and P(max) and chlorophyll content, both of which remained mostly unchanged throughout grain filling. Significant declines in the amount of total leaf protein and ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco) occurred, but these did not occur at the same time as the RGFP in all varieties. A decrease in the ratio of chlorophyll a/b preceded these changes and a transient rise in chlorophyll content was also observed in four varieties at this time. There was no significant change in leaf non-structural carbohydrate content during or following the RGFP. It is concluded that the decline in Rubisco and protein content in NPT was not reflected in photosynthetic activity. Hence in these field experiments Rubisco accumulated to a level in excess of photosynthetic requirements, serving as a store of nitrogen for grain filling.     

疏浚后杭州西湖浮游动物群落的变化

2003年1-12月调查了疏浚后杭州两湖(小型、浅水、富营养化湖泊)四个采样站(Ⅰ-Ⅳ)浮游动物群落的变化。研究包括优势种组成、密度和生物量,以及浮游动物生物量与水体叶绿素a、有机物耗氧量、总氮和总磷含量之间的相关分析。疏浚后,Ⅲ-Ⅳ站原生动物第一优势种由似铃壳虫(Tintinnopsis sp.)变为筒壳虫(Tintinnidium sp.);Ⅲ-Ⅳ站轮虫第一优势种由暗小异尾轮虫(Trichocerca pusilla)变为针簇多肢轮虫(Polyarthra trigla);Ⅰ站的长额象鼻溞(Bosmina longirostris)和Ⅲ站的微型裸腹溞(Moina micrura)分别取代了长肢秀体溞(Diaphanosoma leuchtenbergianum)第一优势种的地位;桡足类中,剑水蚤优势种为粗壮温剑水蚤(Thermocyclops dybowskii),哲水蚤优势种为汤匙华哲水蚤(Sinocalanus dorrii)。疏浚后,西湖浮游动物平均密度增加了80.5%,其中原生动物密度增量贡献57.3%。平均生物量增加了49.7%,其中轮虫生物量增量贡献36.5%。西湖浮游动物生物量与水体叶绿素a、有机物耗氧量和总磷含量之间均呈垃著的正相关关系。不同采样站中,以Ⅳ站环境生态因子与浮游动物生物量之间的相关程度最高,其次为Ⅲ站、Ⅰ站和Ⅱ站,水体环境生态因子对浮游动物的影响程度与其优势利演变的体现相一致。在不同浮游动物类群中,枝角类生物量与水质生态因子之间的相关程度最高,其次为轮虫、桡足类和原生动物。     

Grazer control and nutrient limitation of phytoplankton biomass in two Australian reservoirs

1. Grazer and nutrient controls of phytoplankton biomass were tested on two reservoirs of different productivity to assess the potential for zooplankton grazing to affect chlorophyll/phosphorus regression models under Australian conditions. Experiments with zooplankton and nutrients manipulated in enclosures, laboratory feeding trials, and the analysis of in-lake plankton time series were performed. 2. Enclosures with water from the more productive Lake Hume (chlorophyll a = 3–17.5 μg l^–1), revealed significant zooplankton effects on chlorophyll a in 3/6, phosphorus limitation in 4/6 and nitrogen limitation in 1/6 of experiments conducted throughout the year. Enclosures with water from the less productive Lake Dartmouth (chlorophyll a = 0.8–3.5 μg l^–1), revealed significant zooplankton effects in 5/6, phosphorus limitation in 5/6 and nitrogen limitation in 2/6 of experiments. 3. While Lake Hume enclosure manipulations of the biomass of cladocerans (Daphnia and Diaphanosoma) and large copepods (Boeckella) had negative effects, small copepods (Mesocyclops and Calamoecia) could have positive effects on chlorophyll a. 4. In Lake Hume, total phytoplankton biovolume was negatively correlated with cladoceran biomass, positively with copepod biomass and was uncorrelated with total crustacean biomass. In Lake Dartmouth, total phytoplankton biovolume was negatively correlated with cladoceran biomass, copepod biomass and total crustacean biomass. 5. In both reservoirs, temporal variation in the biomass of Daphnia carinata alone could explain more than 50% of the observed variance in total phytoplankton biovolume. 6. During a period of low phytoplankton biovolume in Lake Hume in spring–summer 1993–94, a conservative estimate of cladoceran community grazing reached a maximum of 0.80 day^–1, suggesting that Cladocera made an important contribution to the development of the observed clear-water phase. 7. Enclosure experiments predicted significant grazing when the Cladocera/Phytoplankton biomass ratio was greater than 0.1; this threshold was consistently exceeded during clear water phase in Lake Hume. 8. Crustacean length had a significant effect on individual grazing rates in bottle experiments, with large Daphnia having highest rates. In both reservoirs, mean crustacean length was negatively correlated with phytoplankton biovolume. The observed upper limit of its variation was nearly twice as high compared to other world lakes.     

Growth and mortality rates of phytoplankton in the northwestern North Pacific estimated by the dilution method and HPLC pigment analysis

Pigment-based growth rates of phytoplankton and mortality rates due to microzooplankton grazing were estimated using a dilution method combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pigment analysis in the northwestern North Pacific in autumn 1998. The dilution experiments were conducted at different hydrographic stations in both colder and warmer water masses. No significant difference was found between the growth rate of the phytoplankton community (0.38–0.70 day⁻¹; estimated by chlorophyll a) at the colder and warmer water stations, while the mortality rate (0.15–0.88 day⁻¹; estimated by chlorophyll a) tended to be higher at warmer water stations. The combination of estimates of daily chlorophyll a production and particulate organic carbon (POC) production enabled us to assess the carbon to chlorophyll a ratio (C/chl a) of “new” organic matter produced by living phytoplankton. The method provided an implicit value of the C/chl a of in situ living phytoplankton. The rate estimates from taxon-specific pigments suggested a possibility that chlorophyll b-containing green algae were grazed preferentially by microzooplankton during their active growth, and the standing stock of green algae was more strictly controlled by micrograzer than other algal groups such as diatoms. This result is one possible explanation for the fact that blooms of green algae have not been reported in the open ocean, in contrast with diatoms.     

On the trophic fate of Phaeocystis pouchetii (Hariot). II. Grazing rates of Calanus hyperboreus (Krøyer) on diatoms and different size categories of Phaeocystis pouchetii

Experiments were conducted with CIV and C V copepodites of Calanus hyperboreus (Krøyer) to determine if they would feed on the prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis pouchetii (Hariot). We used analysis of gut pigment to estimate ingestion and clearance rates. In applying this methodology we have demonstrated that pigments can be completely extracted from whole animals within 90 min, and that laborious procedures of tissue homogenization and centrifugation are not required. We conducted two experiments. In the first experiment Stage IV copepodites were exposed to ≈1 mg C·1⁻¹ of either P. pouchetii flagellates, small colonies (25–200 μm), large colonies (> 200 μm) or mixed diatoms > 25 μm (primarily Chaetoceros socialis Lauder and Nitzschia grunowii Hasle). Ingestion rates and daily rations were almost four times greater on both sizes of colonies than on either Phaeocystis pouchetii flagellates or mixed diatoms. Daily rations of copepodites feeding on colonies ranged from 8.1 to 12.4% · day⁻¹, well within the range previously reported for Calanus hyperboreus or sympatric copepods of similar size. From the second experiment we determined that Stage V copepodites obtained a daily ration of 6.2 to 10.8% · day⁻¹ when feeding on small colonies of Phaeocystis pouchetii. We conclude that a diet of P. pouchetii colonies should sustain the metabolic and growth requirements of Calanus hyperboreus copepodites.     

珠江口横琴岛海域春季海洋浮游生物的初步研究

根据2008年5月在珠江口横琴岛海域的调查采样,本文对该海域的叶绿素a、初级生产力(C)、浮游动、植物进行了初步的研究,分析了浮游动、植物的种类组成、群落结构、数量和生物量等.结果表明,叶绿素a浓度和初级生产力(C)均值分别为5.27 mg·m^-3和123.56 mg·m^-2·d^-1.浮游植物共有111种,以硅藻为主,绝对优势种为中肋骨条藻Skeletonema costatum,调查海域浮游植物平均细胞丰度为6832.75×10⁴cell·m^-3,以近海广布种为主要类群,多样性指数和均匀度均值分别为2.29和0.45.浮游动物共有41种,暖水种沿岸类群种类占大多数,以中华异水蚤Acartiella sinensis为绝对优势种,平均丰度和生物量分别742.25 ind·m^-3和131.12 mg·m^-3,多样性指数和均匀度均值分别为2.54和0.67.     

四种水库消落带植物对水淹环境的适应性研究

研究了百花湖消落带四种优势植物双穗雀稗(Paspalum distichum)、空心莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)、牛鞭草(Hemarthria altissima)和狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)在模拟水淹环境下的生长指标和叶绿素含量,以期了解其对水淹环境的适应特征。结果表明:1) 水淹条件下,双穗雀稗、空心莲子草和牛鞭草生长加剧,狗牙根生长缓慢,四种植物损失了不适应全淹环境的分枝和叶片。2)双穗雀稗、牛鞭草和狗牙根表现为茎的生长,空心莲子草表现为茎和分枝的生长。植株顶端冒出水面后,双穗雀稗、空心莲子草和牛鞭草叶的生长加剧。3)四种植物的叶绿素a、b的含量降低,叶绿素b降低比叶绿素a更显著,叶绿素a/b值显著升高。植株顶端冒出水面后,双穗雀稗、空心莲子草和牛鞭草叶绿素a、b含量显著升高,叶绿素a/b值显著降低。4)经过不断地适应和进化后,四种植物能更好地适应水淹环境。     

Experimental studies of zooplankton–phytoplankton–nutrient interactions in a large subtropical lake (Lake Okeechobee, Florida, U.S.A.)

1. Over a 1-year period, twenty controlled experiments were performed using small mesocosms (20-l clear plastic carboys) and plankton communities collected from four sites in shallow, subtropical Lake Okeechobee, Florida. In replicated treatments, macrozooplankton grazers were excluded by size fractionation (115 μm), and/or nutrients (N and P) were added, and impacts on phytoplankton biomass and productivity were measured after 3-day incubations.
2. In most experiments (fifteen out of twenty), there was no significant effect of zooplankton exclusion on phytoplankton biomass or productivity, but there were significant increases in those attributes due to nutrient additions. The magnitude of the responses was a function of light availability at the collection sites.
3. In three experiments, zooplankton exclusion led to declines in phytoplankton biomass and productivity, suggesting that animals may sometimes have net positive effects on the phytoplankton, perhaps via nutrient recycling.
4. In only two experiments was there evidence of net negative impacts of grazers on the phytoplankton. In both instances, cladocerans ( Daphnia ambigua and Eubosmina tubicen ) were dominant in the zooplankton. However, the increases in chlorophyll a due to zooplankton exclusion were small (5–20%), probably because of the small size and relatively low grazing rates of the cladocerans.
5. The results support the hypothesis that phytoplankton biomass in Lake Okeechobee is little affected by herbivorous macrozooplankton. This may be a common feature of lowland tropical and subtropical lakes.     

Experimental studies of zooplankton–phytoplankton–nutrient interactions in a large subtropical lake (Lake Okeechobee, Florida, U.S.A.)

1. Over a 1-year period, twenty controlled experiments were performed using small mesocosms (20-l clear plastic carboys) and plankton communities collected from four sites in shallow, subtropical Lake Okeechobee, Florida. In replicated treatments, macrozooplankton grazers were excluded by size fractionation (115 μm), and/or nutrients (N and P) were added, and impacts on phytoplankton biomass and productivity were measured after 3-day incubations.
2. In most experiments (fifteen out of twenty), there was no significant effect of zooplankton exclusion on phytoplankton biomass or productivity, but there were significant increases in those attributes due to nutrient additions. The magnitude of the responses was a function of light availability at the collection sites.
3. In three experiments, zooplankton exclusion led to declines in phytoplankton biomass and productivity, suggesting that animals may sometimes have net positive effects on the phytoplankton, perhaps via nutrient recycling.
4. In only two experiments was there evidence of net negative impacts of grazers on the phytoplankton. In both instances, cladocerans ( Daphnia ambigua and Eubosmina tubicen ) were dominant in the zooplankton. However, the increases in chlorophyll a due to zooplankton exclusion were small (5–20%), probably because of the small size and relatively low grazing rates of the cladocerans.
5. The results support the hypothesis that phytoplankton biomass in Lake Okeechobee is little affected by herbivorous macrozooplankton. This may be a common feature of lowland tropical and subtropical lakes.     

COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGICAL STUDY OF MARINE DIATOMS AND DINOFLAGELLATES IN RELATION TO IRRADIANCE AND CELL SIZE. II. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHOTOSYNTHESIS,GROWTH, AND CARBON/CHLOROPHYLL a RATIO1,2

Photosynthetic rates, growth rates, cell carbon, cell protein, and chlorophyll a content of two diatom and two dinoflagellate species were measured. The microalgae were chosen to have one small and one large species from each phylogenetic group; the two size categories differed from each other by 1.5 orders of magnitude in terms of cell carbon or cell protein. The cultures for the experiments were grown under continuous light at an irradiance high enough for the light-saturation of growth for all four species. The four species were found to have similar maximum photosynthetic rates per unit chlorophyll a. The diatom species showed lower carbon/chlorophyll a ratios and higher photosynthetic rates per unit carbon than the dinoflagellates. The higher growth rates of the diatoms were shown to be related to their higher photosynthetic rates per unit carbon. The ecological significance of the physiological difference between these two groups of microalgae is discussed.     

Light adaptation and the role of autotrophic epiphytes in primary production of the temperate seagrass, Zostera marina L.

Photosynthetic features of Zostera marina L. and its autotrophic epiphyte community were investigated in a population inhabiting a shallow (1.3 m depth) water meadow in Great Harbor, Woods Hole, MA (U.S.A.). Photosynthesis versus irradiance (P-I) relationships were measured with respect to leaf age determined by the leaf position in the shoot bundle and by location of the tissue along the leaf axis. Therefore both age and light intensity gradients along the leaf axis were considered. The maximum photosynthesis (P_max) per dm² typically increased nearly two-fold along the leaf axis from leaf bases to apices. Photosynthetic rate on a chlorophyll (Chl) basis did not increase as dramatically along the leaf axis, and rates were usually lowest in tissues with the highest Chl content. The P-I relationships of leaves of different ages did not reveal photoinhibition even at light intensities > 1400 μE • m⁻² • s ⁻¹. Furthermore, no photoinhibition was observed in tissues from leaf blade bases, which never experienced high light levels (> 500 μE • m ⁻² • s⁻¹) in situ in Great Harbor. The initial slopes of the P-I curves and light compensation and saturation values varied along the leaf axis in relation to in situ light intensity gradients and in relation to leaf or tissue age. It appeared that leaf and/or tissue age was more important than light environment in determining P-I responses. The contribution of the autotrophic epiphyte community on Z. marina leaves to total photosynthesis per dm² was between 27 and 50%, and between 10 and 44% per mg chlorophyll. These levels of epiphyte photosynthesis can double the primary production of Z. marina leaves. No detrimental effects of epiphyte cover were realized in leaf maximal photosynthesis or P-I relationships. Non-epiphytized leaves and leaves from which epiphytes were removed showed essentially identical photosynthetic features. Light intensity and age gradients along the leaf axis control both the photosynthetic performance of the leaves and epiphyte biomass and photosynthesis.     

濒危植物野生东北红豆杉群落特征及保护策略

以长白山自然保护区野生东北红豆杉种群为研究对象,在野生东北红豆杉的主要分布区设置4块标准地(50 m×50 m),运用群落生态学方法统计野生东北红豆杉的树木特征(树高、胸径、冠幅等),立地条件,林分状况等,分析野生东北红豆杉在分布地区的群落物种多样性特征。所调查的4个样地共有木本植物32种,隶属17科24属,草本植物53种,隶属于23科41属。不同样地的Simpson指数和Shannon指数变化一致,样地C4的均匀度Pielou指数为草本层>灌木层>乔木层,其余的样地均为灌木层>乔木层>草本层。Margalef丰富度指数显示,除了样地C4的草本层物种丰富度最大之外,其余3个样地都是乔木层物种丰富度指数最大。在4个样地中,野生东北红豆杉的重要值偏低,在群落中不占优势。野生东北红豆杉所在的群落主要以红松、长白鱼鳞云杉、紫椴等针阔叶树种组成的混交林。根据这种现象,提出了野生东北红豆杉的保护策略,为野生东北红豆杉资源的保护、繁育和利用提供了合理建议和有效途径。     

Changes of the concentrations of chlorophyll and phaeopigment in grazing experiments

In grazing experiments, the changes in fluorometric determined concentrations of chlorophyll a and phaeopigment are probably less bothered by the interference of other chlorophyll pigments than in analysis of single seawater samples. Theoretically, phaeopigment recovery will be ca 100%, regardless the eventual presence of chlorophyllb. In shipboard experiments in the northern North Sea in May 1983 the chlorophyll consumption by zooplankton was compared with phaeophorbide egestion. Phaeophorbide recovery amounted on average to 67%, comparable with a previous estimate in laboratory experiments by SHUMAN & LORENZEN (1975). Because phaeophorbide concentrations are expressed in chlorophyll equivalents, one third of the chlorophyll consumed is apparently degraded further than phaeophorbide into non-fluorescent material. In grazing experiments withCalanus finmarchicus stages CIV, CV and CVI filtering rates were determined both with the chlorophyll method and with a particle counter. Values roughly doubled with stage and averages per stage did not differ systematically between both methods, suggesting that the natural algae food, dominated by the microflagellateCorymbellus aureus, was not preferred above other seston.     

Plankton dynamics in a tropical floodplain lake: fish, nutrients, and the relative importance of bottom-up and top-down control

1. Two enclosure experiments were carried out in Laguna Bufeos, a neotropical várzea lake located in the floodplain of River Ichilo (Bolivia). The experiments aimed (i) to assess the relative importance of bottom‐up and top‐down control on the plankton community, (ii) to assess the relative impact of direct and indirect effects of planktivorous fish on the zooplankton, and (iii) to attempt to identify the mechanisms responsible for these effects. 2. During the first experiment, bottom‐up control seemed to dominate the planktonic food web. Compared with fishless enclosures, oxygen concentrations, chlorophyll a levels and the population densities of all cladoceran zooplankton taxa increased in enclosures with fish. Birth rates of Moina minuta, the dominant taxon, were substantially higher in the presence than in the absence of fish, whereas death rates did not differ between treatments. These results are the first to suggest that the positive effects of fish on crustacean zooplankton via effects on nutrient cycling and the enhancement of primary production can compensate for losses because of fish‐related mortality. 3. During the second experiment, the direction of control appeared to vary between trophic levels: the phytoplankton appeared to be bottom‐up controlled whereas the zooplankton was mainly top‐down controlled. Chlorophyll a concentrations were enhanced by both fish and nutrient additions. The majority of the zooplankton taxa were reduced by the presence of fish. Birth rates of most cladoceran taxa did not differ between treatments, whereas death rates were higher in the enclosures with fish than in the fishless enclosures. Bosminopsis deitersi reached higher densities in the presence of fish, probably because of a release from predation by Chaoborus. 4. We convincingly showed strong deviations from trophic cascade‐based expectations, supporting the idea that trophic cascades may be weak in tropical lakes.     

Pheopigment dynamics,zooplankton grazing rates and the autumnal ammonium peak in a Mediterranean lagoon

The dilution technique was used to estimate chlorophyll and pheopigment, net and gross production as well as zooplankton grazing over a 12-month period in a coastal lagoon in Southern France. Chlorophyll a (Cha) based gross growth rates of phytoplankton ranged from undetectable in February to 2.6 day⁻¹ in June, corresponding to 3.8 divisions per day. Cha-based grazing rates ranged from undetectable in February to 1.1 d⁻¹ in June. The seasonal growth pattern of picoplankton was similar to that of the whole community, with a peak in July, corresponding to four divisions per day. Grazing processes represented from 20 to 150% of the phytoplankton daily growth, and the grazing pressure was stronger on small phytoplankton cells than on larger cells. Gross growth rates of phytoplankton were related to zooplankton grazing rates, and both were related to water temperature. Mesozooplankton which escaped sampling or oysters had to be also invoked as additional sinks for the primary production. In the fall, pheopigment concentrations greater than chlorophyll concentrations coincided with high ammonium levels in the water column. Pheopigment a production rates were highly correlated to chlorophyll -based microzooplankton grazing rates. The pheopigment a to chlorophyll a ratio was correlated with ammonium concentrations and could be used an index of the balance between ammonium supply (degradation) and demand (uptake by phytoplankton). In addition, pheopigment degradation rates in absence of grazing could be related to irradiance, indicating photo-degradation of these compounds.     

Relationship between nutrient concentration,phytoplankton density,and zooplankton density in nutrient enriched experimental ponds

The effects of different levels of nutrient input on the plankton community was investigated in a two-year controlled fertilization study of eight experimental ponds. There were four treatments, each replicated: a control, to which no fertilizer was added, and three levels of nutrient addition. Limnological parameters including phytoplankton and zooplankton densities were measured frequently during both summers and less frequently during the rest of the year. Inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in the treated ponds increased. Phytoplankton and zooplankton density increased with treatment level but was variable. There was a limited relationship between the average chlorophyll a concentration per summer and the average cladoceran dry weight per summer. Above chlorophyll a concentrations greater than 60–70 mg/m³ other factors such as a pH zooplankton mortality effect, prevailed.     

Growth and photosynthetic rates of Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin in a cyclical light field

Growth rates, cell chlorophyll a concentrations, and carbon uptake rates of Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin grown in cyclical and constant light regimes at three mean irradiances (PFD) were compared. Light cycles with periods 5–38 min were used. Under high PFD the cyclical light regime resulted in both increased and decreased growth rates dependent on the signal frequency. Growth rates were universally depressed under mid and low PFD. Minimal influence of the light field was apparent on cell chlorophyll concentrations. The most marked effect of the fluctuating light was recorded on the carbon uptake rates with maximal influence demonstrated in those samples both grown and incubated in fluctuating light at high as opposed to mid and low PFDs. From the combination of light fields employed, the existence of both short and long term physiological controls of the carbon uptake rates were deduced, these being related to the time scales of carbon uptake and cell growth. A partial explanation to account for the observed increases in carbon uptake in terms of short period non-linear uptake kinetics was derived from two further experiments.     

Density-dependent predation ofChaoborus flavicans onDaphnia longispina in a small lake: the effect of prey size

Functional response curves of fourth instar larvae ofChaoborus flavicans preying on two size classes ofDaphnia longispina were examined throughout three summer seasons in a small forest lake. Data for each size class were fitted to Holling's disc equation. The parametersa (attack rate) andTh (handling time) were calculated for each prey size from these curves. Attack rate was greater and handling time was shorter for small (0.77 mm) than for large (1.82 mm)Daphnia. In 1:1 mixture of these prey size classes the predation rates ofChaoborus on smallDaphnia at prey densities above 20 l^–1 were greater than predicted from the single size-class experiments. The observed predation rates on largeDaphnia were lower than predicted at all prey densities. Since both single size-class and two size-class experiments were run during the same period of time the difference in observed and predicted predation rates could not be attributed to seasonal changes in prey preference ofChaoborus larvae. In experiments with a concentrated mixture of lake zooplankton (dominated byD. longispina)Chaoborus preference forDaphnia decreased as prey body size increased. There was no obvious correlation between selectivity coefficients and size-frequency distributions ofDaphnia. When medium-sizedDaphnia were omitted from calculations the preference of small over large prey did not differ significantly from the predictions of the single size-class model.     

Effects of an invasive bivalve on the zooplankton community of the Hudson River

1. Previous studies documented that zebra mussels became abundant in the Hudson River during 1992 causing an 80–90% reduction in phytoplankton biomass. This study used intervention time series analysis of abundance, biomass and reproduction over the period 1987–95 to assess changes in zooplankton in response to the invasion.
2. Zebra mussels caused a size-dependent decline in zooplankton. Microzooplankton, including tintinnid ciliates, rotifers and copepod nauplii all declined in 1992 and were scarce thereafter. Mean abundances of post-naupliar copepods and of cladocerans were also lower following the invasion but these changes were not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). Egg ratios and clutch sizes for the dominant cladoceran, Bosmina freyi , were not significantly related to zebra mussels, even though relatively low egg ratios were observed after the invasion.
3. The strong declines in microzooplankton were probably caused by direct zebra mussel predation. Estimated consumption rates by mussels were roughly equivalent to maximum microzooplankton growth rates.
4. The total biomass of zooplankton in the Hudson River declined by more than 70% following the invasion. Annual average zooplankton biomass was correlated with chlorophyll, but biomass per unit chlorophyll in the Hudson River was much lower than in lakes. The present study hypothesizes that this lower biomass reflects limitations by riverine flow and by predation during summer.