Low fish predation pressure in London reservoirs: II. Consequences to zooplankton community structure

The 1992 survey of zooplankton structure in fourteen London supply reservoirs showed the overall dominance of large-bodied zooplankton, mainly species of Daphnia. These reservoirs can be considered as ‘anti-fish’ by virtue of their steeply sloping concrete or brick sides. The average biomass of large Daphnia spp (retained on a 710 μm sieve) in the total zooplankton biomass was higher than 20% for twelve out of fourteen reservoirs. The cladoceran-copepod ratio was inversely correlated with both dominance of large-bodied Daphnia magna and cladoceran body-size structure. Parallelly, there were tendency of more efficient utilization of lowered algal crops in reservoirs dominated by large-bodied Daphnia spp. A graphical model is presented which relates daphnid species composition and zooplankton size structure to a presumed gradient of fish biomass in these reservoirs.     

Susceptibility of Ephemeral Pool <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hexarthra</Emphasis> to Predation by the Fairy Shrimp <Emphasis Type="Italic">Branchinecta mackini</Emphasis>: can Predation Drive Local Extinction?

Isolated rock pools in the US desert southwest often develop dense populations of a lithophilic species of the rotifer Hexarthra. I hypothesized that rotifers persist in these isolated ponds due to the absence of either competition with or predation by potentially sympatric crustaceans, especially anostracans. I tested the latter idea with laboratory and field experiments, in each case exposing rotifers to adult fairy shrimp (Branchinecta mackini, the dominant anostracan in this region in winter ponds) in 200 ml microcosms. In␣most cases individual female fairy shrimp had distinct negative effects on rotifer suspensions due to direct predatory consumption of the smaller animals. Estimated effective water processing rates ranged from ca. 50 to over 300 ml ind⁻¹ h⁻¹ and rotifer consumption rates by female B. mackini were between 280 and > 600 Hexarthra consumed per individual predator per hour. Male B. mackini never significantly reduced rotifer numbers in either laboratory or field microcosms. The results indicate that, while perhaps not the sole determinant of rotifer distribution in these ephemeral pools, fairy shrimp predation can have a strong negative influence on natural Hexarthra populations.     

Impacts of mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) predation on plankton communities

An investigation of the effects of mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) predation was conducted in 12 experimental ponds in southern California over a period of 10 months.Gambusia essentially eliminatedDaphnia pulex andCeriodaphnia sp. populations, reducedDiaptomus pallidus andKeratella quadrata populations, had little impact onCyclops vernalis, and caused large increases inK. cochlearis, Polyarthra sp.,Synchaeta sp., andTrichocerca spp. populations and in total phytoplankton.Gambusia caused a decrease in the PIE (probability of interspecific encounter) of the planktonic crustaceans and an increase in the PIE of the planktonic rotifers. Hemiptera, such as neustonicMicrovelia sp. and nektonicBuenoa sp. andNotonecta sp., andHyla regilla tadpoles were absent from fish ponds but sometimes abundant in control ponds.Gambusia caused higher pH and oxygen levels, presumably via its effect on the phytoplankton. The impact ofGambusia on the pond ecosystems was less in winter, when fish numbers and feeding rates were low, than in summer. Results of other fish-plankton studies are summarized in tabular form. A model is proposed to account for variation in the calanoid/cyclopoid ratio; evidence is summarized suggesting that in general calanoids are more susceptible to predation by predaceous zooplankters while cyclopoids are more susceptible to fish predation. Some parallels are drawn between the effects ofGambusia predation and those of insecticide treatments.     

Changes in abundance of the icefish Neosalanx pseudotaihuensis Zhang (Salangidae) and the impact on the zooplankton community of Xujiahe Reservoir,central China

The icefish Neosalanx pseudotaihuensis Zhang is a small and commercially exploited zooplanktivorous fish in Xujiahe Reservoir (central China). Data of catch per unit effort (CPUE) from June 1995 to December 1997 show that the abundance of the icefish varied dramatically, which is reflected in the populations of the dominant cladocerans. The densities of Leptodora kindti, Daphnia galeata and Diaphanosoma dubia were the highest in 1997 when the abundance of the icefish was the lowest, and the reverse was the case for Boimina spp. These results document that the population of this annual fish is very variable and high biomass of the fish could exert a pronounced effect on the zooplankton community.     

Die-offs of the blue-green alga,Anabaena variabilis,in fish ponds

Dense populations of the blue-green alga, Anabaena variabilis, frequently develop in fish ponds at Auburn, Alabama, during windy weather in March and early April. Massive die-offs of this alga can be expected when it forms surface scums during prolonged periods of calm, clear, warm weather between mid April and mid May. Dissolved oxygen concentrations decline following die-offs and fish kills may result.     

Parental Responses to Changes in Costs and Benefits Along an Environmental Gradient

We evaluated the effects of dissolved oxygen on offspring survival, parental costs, and the pattern of parental care in Florida flagfish, Jordanella floridae (Cyprinodontidae). Specifically, we quantified (1) embryonic development and survival in the absence of parental care, (2) behavior of non-reproductive adults, and (3) behavior of parental males across a gradient in dissolved oxygen. Embryo developmental rates and survivorship increased with dissolved oxygen, with a relatively sharp increase in survival between medium and high oxygen treatments. Non-reproductive adults increased their frequency of aquatic surface respiration, reduced overall activity, and increased opercular beat rate as oxygen declined, suggesting increased costs of activity with reduced oxygen. Taking these cost measures together, costs appear to increase slowly as oxygen starts to decline and then increase sharply as conditions approach hypoxia. In contrast, parental effort increased gradually with dissolved oxygen. We conclude that the increase in care from low to medium oxygen primarily results from a sharp decline in physiological costs, whereas the continued increase in care from medium to high oxygen primarily results from an increase in offspring value. In addition, our results highlight that the benefits of fanning for offspring are not well understood and that they may increase with oxygen, contrary to what has been previously assumed.     

High density culture of the freshwater rotifer,Brachionus calyciflorus

The freshwater rotifer, Brachionus calyciflorus is one of the live food organisms used for the mass production of larval fish. In this study possibility of obtaining high density cultures of the freshwater rotifer B. calyciflorus were investigated. The two culture systems used differed in their air and dissolved oxygen supplies using three temperatures in each case: 24, 28 and 32 °C. Rotifers were batch-cultured using 5 l-vessels and fed with the freshwater Chlorella. The growth rate of rotifers significantly increased with an increase in temperature. The maximum density of the rotifers with air-supply at 24 °C, 6500 ind. ml^–1, was significantly lower than those cultured at 28 and 32 °C, i.e. 8600 and 8100 ind. ml^–1, respectively. Dissolved oxygen levels decreased with time and ranged from 0.8 to 1.4 mg l^–1 when the density of freshwater rotifer was the highest at each temperature. The highest density (19200 ind. ml^–1) of freshwater rotifer was obtained in cultures with a supply of oxygen at 28 °C. Densities of 13500 and 17200 ind. ml^–1 were found at 24 and 32 °C, respectively. Levels of NH₃-N increased with time and a dramatic increase of NH₃-N was observed at high temperatures. Levels of NH₃-N at 24, 28 and 32 °C were 13.2, 18.5 and 24.5 mg l^–1, respectively. These levels coincided with the highest rotifer density at each of the three temperatures. When rotifers were cultured with an oxygen-supply and pH was adjusted to 7, the maximum density of rotifer reached 33500 ind. ml^–1 at 32 °C . These results suggested that high density culture of freshwater rotifer, B. calyciflorus could be achieved under optimal conditions with DO value of exceeding 5 mg l^–1 and NH₃-N values of lower than 12.0 mg l^–1.     

The ecology of the calanoid copepod Eurytemora affinis in salt marsh tide pools

We describe selected aspects of the ecology of the copepod Eurytemora affinis in tide pools of an inland salt marsh near L'Isle-Verte, Québec along the southern shore of the St. Lawrence estuary. E. affinis performed daily horizontal migrations moving from the centers of pools to the banks and into dense algae. Male E. affinis were mainly found in the center of the pools during twilight (21 : 00 hrs) and in dense algae in daylight (12: 00 hrs) whereas most females and copepodites were found near the banks at all three sampling periods. Although these daily movements among sites may have minimized predation by diurnally foraging sticklebacks (Pisces: Gasterosteidae), other explanations for the movements can not be excluded. We also quantified the effects of fish predation upon the population structure of E. affinis. Densities of all stages (nauplius, copepodite, adult) were significantly lower in pools with fish than in pools without fish. Female E. affinis were significantly smaller (mean length) in pools with fish than in pools without fish, indicating that the sticklebacks selectively ate larger females. Male-biased sex ratios were found in both types of pools, which excluded the possibility that biased ratios in this species are caused by selective predation upon the females.     

Influence of predation by fish and water turbidity on a Daphnia gessneri population in an Amazonian floodplain lake,Brazil

The population behavior of Daphnia gessneri Herbst, 1967 in a floodplain lake (Lago Grande) of the lower Rio Solimões was investigated between April 1979 and March 1980 with regard to 1) predation by the fish called tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum, Characidae), 2) water level fluctuation and 3) water transparency. Zooplankton density samples were collected at two sites near mid-lake, where water depth and Secchi disc transparency were measured. In addition, qualitative samples of zooplankton and fish collections were taken at several sites in the adjacent floodplain areas. The author concludes that fluctuations in Daphnia gessneri populations correlate most with intense predation by fish and water turbidity.     

Food and feeding behaviour of a planktivorous cyprinid, Pelecus cultratus (L.), in a shallow eutrophic lake, Neusiedler See (Austria)

Pelecus cultratus (razor fish), a cyprinid fish, has become a dominant species in Neusiedler See. Gut content analyses of 400 specimens collected in 1989 and 1990 showed that Pelecus fed mainly on large zooplankton (Diaphanosoma, Leptodora and Arctodiaptomus), although their diet also included Insecta (larvae, pupae and adults) and Arachnida (spiders), occasionally small fishes. Comparison of the relative abundance of the zooplankton species in the stomach to the lake indicated that Pelecus strongly selected cladocerans over copepods, and fed mostly on large-sized individuals of Diaphanosoma, Leptodora and Arctodiaptomus. The fish showed a significant positive selectivity only for individuals of Diaphanosoma > 1.0 mm and Leptodora > 4.0 mm. In contrast, selectivity increased continuously in relation to the diameter of the compound eye of both prey species. This suggested that prey visibility was a key factor in determining the prey selectivity by Pelecus. It also seems likely that the persistence of the Leptodora population in Neusiedler See can be attributed to negligible predation pressure on the smaller sized individuals of this species.     

Zooplankton and their relationships with water quality and fisheries

Zooplankton population structure in Rutland Water changed over the first five years of the reservoir's existence. Daphnia pulex, initially dominant was replaced by D. hyalina in late 1975 and since 1979 this latter cladoceran has coexisted for part of each year with Bosmina longirostris. Population fluctuations of all the main crustacean zooplankton — D. hyalina, Cyclops spp. and Diaptomus gracilis — were erratic in the first three years (1975–1977) but have since become more regular. The relationships of the zooplankton with their potential algal food supply and with their potential predators, the fish population, are discussed.     

The influence of visibility and escape ability on sex-specific susceptibility to fish predation in Eudiaptomus gracilis (Copepoda,Crustacea)

The susceptibility to fish predation in males, ovigerous, and non-ovigerous females of the freshwater copepod Eudiaptomus gracilis is investigated in the laboratory by direct observation of the predation sequence of zebrafish, and by studying mortality when confronted with zebrafish or roach. Ovigerous females had the highest encounter rate indicating that the highly visible egg-clutch is a major determinant of their susceptibility. Males were least successful in escaping, the main reason being their inability or disinclination to react fast enough when attacked. This difference in escape reaction may have evolved because of sex-specific requirements in mate encounter and mate location. Ovigerous females and males had higher mortality than non-ovigerous females in all experiments while ovigerous mortality was higher than male mortality only in the zebrafish experiments. Neither experiment showed any difference in male and overall female mortality but as a consequence of the abrupt change in susceptibility between the ovigerous and non-ovigerous condition, it follows that sex-specific mortality rates may be dependent on the reproductive condition within diaptomid populations. A consequence of the sex-specific difference in escape ability is that the sex-specific mortality may be influenced by variation in the attack efficiency within and among predator populations.     

Salinity tolerance of the gemmules of Eunapius fragilis (Leidy) and the inhibition of germination by various salts

We report results of a field test of the predator avoidance hypothesis as an explanation of the adaptive significance of diel vertical migration in zooplankton. We determined the vertical distribution and diel migration of the planktonic copepod Acartia hudsonica, concurrently with the abundance of pelagic fish, transparency and thermal stratification of the water column, on six cruises over a one year period in a temperate marine lagoon (Jakles Lagoon, San Juan Island, Washington, USA). Striking seasonal variability was observed in all biological and environmental variables. Linear regressions of the strength of diel vertical migration in A. hudsonica on these environmental variables resulted in only one statistically significant relationship, that between copepod diel vertical migration and predator abundance. These results, together with those of previous studies, point to diel vertical migration as a widespread behavioral response of planktonic prey to the presence of their predators.     

Effects of acidity on the growth of two Euglena species

Our study separates the effects of elevated protons (at pH <3) and elevated metals (Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn) on the growth of E. mutabilis Schmitz, a pioneering phototroph in acid mine drainage (AMD) and E. gracilis Klebs, a closely-related species rarely found in severely AMD-impacted sites. Both species were acid tolerant, growing optimally at pH 2.5–7. At pH values typical of AMD (pH 2.5–4) in the absence of elevated metals, E. gracilis outcompeted E. mutabilis (growth rates of 1.0 and 0.8 div d^–1, respectively). Relative metal toxicities were evaluated based on the Effective Exposure causing 50% growth reduction (= EE50). With total metal additions similar to AMD levels, E. mutabilis demonstrated significantly greater tolerance to all metals, except Cu. E. gracilis showed two-fold higher tolerance to Cu²⁺ than E. mutabilis (EE50 of 91.6 vs. 45.7 pmol cell^–1). The EE50 for Zn²⁺ was similar for both species (368 pmol cell^–1 for E. gracilis and 423 pmol cell^–1 for E. mutabilis). With Cd and Ni, E. mutabilis tolerated an order of magnitude higher exposure than E. gracilis(EE50 of 1.6 vs. 0.2 pmol Cd²⁺ cell^–1; EE50 of 942 vs. 87 pmol Ni²⁺ cell^–1). Al and Fe were tolerated at high total metal concentrations (up to 100 mM) by E. mutabilis, but toxicity was evident with E. gracilisat much lower levels. E. mutabilis grew at double the Al³⁺ exposure tolerated by E. gracilis (EE50 of 398 vs. 188 pmol Al³⁺ cell^–1). There was an 18-fold difference in Fe tolerance levels between E. mutabilis and E. gracilis with EE50s of 8773 and 502 pmol Fe²⁺ cell^–1, respectively. We conclude that differential metal tolerance, particularly to Fe²⁺, accounts for the mutually exclusive distribution of E. gracilis and E. mutabilis in AMD-impacted habitats.     

Monitoring of haploid maize cell suspension culture conditions in bioreactors

Maize (Zea mays L.) haploid cells were cultivated in a 1500 ml aerated and stirred batch bioreactor using modified BM medium. Cell growth was highly affected by pH and dissolved oxygen, and we observed two fairly distinct growth phases. During the first two days after inoculation at pH 5.8, oxygen consumption was high and the cells lowered the pH to a value around 4.3. After this period the pH stabilized at 4.5 and the dissolved oxygen reached a steady level. Decreasing dissolved oxygen concentration leads to lower growth rate and to higher pH. Both events mean stress conditions for the cell culture and probably result in increased genetic variability, and the loss of regeneration capacity. The stress condition during the adaptation phase can be eliminated by decreasing the pH of the medium to 4.7 before inoculation and by keeping dissolved oxygen above 40%. These conditions provide prolonged exponential growth dynamics and the cell suspensions could be the basis of large scale cultures also.Abbreviations 2,4-d 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetitc acid - NAA naphthalene acetic acid     

Optimization of culture conditions for the production of an extracellular ribonuclease by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus niger</Emphasis> in a benchtop bioreactor

SummarySelf-directing optimization was successfully employed to determine the optimal combination of engineering parameters, viz., pH, aeration rate and agitation rate, for extracellular ribonuclease production by Aspergillus niger SA-13-20 in a batch bioreactor. Maximal RNase production of 5.38 IU ml^–1 was obtained at controlled pH of 2.33, aeration rate of 1.67 v/v/m and agitation rate of 850 rev/min. The effect of oxygen on the fermentation was also investigated. With increase in volumetric oxygen transfer coefficients (K_La), cell growth and RNase production first increased and then decreased. RNase production was further increased to 7.10 IU ml^–1 and the fermentation time was shortened from 96 to 72 h by controlling dissolved oxygen concentration at 10% saturation by aerating oxygen after about 28 h of fermentation under the above optimal condition. The kinetic model showed that RNase production by A. niger SA-13-20 was growth-associated.