A note about Daphnia in Venezuelan waterbodies

After examining numerous water samples of 19 lakes and reservoirs in Venezuela, only two species of Daphnia were found: D. laevis (in colder, high altitude lakes) and D. gessneri. This observation supports the theory of the scarcity of Daphnia species in tropical inland waters.     

Contrasting patterns of body size for Daphnia species that segregate by habitat

Summary We investigate how body size of two coexisting Daphnia species varies among 7 lakes that represent a gradient of predation risk. The two species segregate vertically in stratified lakes; D. galeata mendotae is typically smaller and more eplimnetic than D. pulicaria. The extent of vertical habitat partitioning, however, varies seasonally within and among lakes in apparent response to predation intensity by epilimnetic planktivorous fishes. Daphnia pulicaria uses the epilimnion at low levels of fish predation but is restricted to the hypolimnion under high fish predation, whereas D. galaeta mendotae always utilizes the epilimnion. The species display contrasting patterns of genetic variation in neonate size and size at maturity. D. pulicaria is larger in lakes with higher fish and Chaoborus densities whereas D. galeata mendotae is smaller. This contrast in body size in lakes with high predation is associated with greater habitat segregation in those lakes. In lakes with low predation risk, the two species are similar in body size at birth and maturity.Authorship order alphabetical     

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.     

Cyclomorphosis in Daphnia: an adaptation to avoid invertebrate predation

Seasonal morphological changes in three Daphnia species were followed over a two-year period in two lakes that differ in invertebrate and fish pressure. Whereas the morphology of D. hyalina, the biggest of the three species, varied little from season to season, D. cucullata, the smallest, exhibited the most pronounced seasonal changes in head height/carapace length ratio. The pattern of seasonal changes of body proportions was similar in all size classes and isometric growth of the head was reported for D. cucullata. Unlike the head, tail spine length/carapace length ratio almost did not vary seasonally. Strong negative allometry of tail spine growth was observed. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that helmets and tail spines provide protection against invertebrates in the two smallest, thus most endangered species.     

Trophic interactions and habitat segregation between competing Daphnia species

Summary Two commonly coexisting species of Daphnia segregate by habitat in many stratified lakes. Daphnia pulicaria is mostly found in the hypolimnion whereas D. galeata mendotae undergoes diel vertical migration between the hypolimnion and the epilimnion. I examined how habitat segregation between these two potentially competing species might be affected by trophic interactions with their resources and predators by performing a field experiment in deep enclosures in which I manipulated fish predation, nutrient levels, and the density of epilimnetic Daphnia. The results of the experiment indicate that habitat use by D. pulicaria can be jointly regulated by competition for food from epilimnetic Daphnia and predation by fishes. Patterns of habitat segregation between the two Daphnia species were determined by predation by fish but not by nutrient levels: The removal of epilimnetic fish predators resulted in higher zooplankton and lower epilimnetic phytoplankton densities and allowed D. pulicaria to expand its habitat distribution into the epilimnion. In contrast, increased resource productivity resulted in higher densities of both Daphnia species but did not affect phytoplankton levels or habitat use by Daphnia. The two species exhibit a trade-off in their ability to exploit resources and their susceptibility to predation by fish. D. g. mendotae (the less susceptible species) may thus restrict D. pulicaria (the better resource exploiter) from the epilimnion when fish are common due to lower minimum resource requirements than those needed by D. pulicaria to offset the higher mortality rate imposed by selective epilimnetic fish predators. D. g. mendotae does not appear to have this effect in the absence of fish.     

The genusDaphnia in Cameroon,West Africa

Three species of the genusDaphnia are recorded from Cameroon.Daphnia obtusa was found in a single lake out of 37 sampled.Daphnia laevis was found in the same lake asD. obtusa and in two other lakes, whileD. rosea was found in three other lakes. All the lakes were at altitudes over 1 000 m. The records can be interpreted either as altitudinal survivals of continually dispersing species, or as relicts in an area whereDaphnia is usually very rare or absent.     

Experimental interspecific hybridization in Daphnia

Hybridization is a common phenomenon in Daphnia (Cladocera; Anomopoda); interspecific hybrids have been found between several species and hybrids are found in many European lakes. Although much information on the morphology, ecology and genetics of hybrids is available, little is known about the level of reproductive isolation among species or about the relative fitness of hybrids and parental species. In order to facilitate studies on differentiation and speciation processes and comparative experimental studies on hybrids and recombinant genotypes, we present the first successful laboratory crossing experiments of two different Daphnia species, D. galeata and D. cucullata. Males and sexual females from two D. galeata and two D. cucullata clones were reciprocally crossed, juveniles hatched from resting eggs and reared until maturity. Hatching and juvenile survival rates of hybrids were relatively low (12.1% and 24%, respectively). D. galeata and D. cucullata clones vary in their level of successful interspecific matings and in the number of subsequent offspring. In general, hybrid crosses between D. cucullata females and D. galeata males were more successful than reciprocal crosses.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphnia</Emphasis> distribution in Andean Patagonian lakes: effect of low food quality and fish predation

Food quality in terms of carbon (C):phosphorus (P) ratio can constrain the success of highly demanding P herbivores as Daphnia. North Andean Patagonian lakes are ultraoligotrophic with low nutrient concentrations and well-developed euphotic zones. We investigated the distribution of the large Daphnia commutata in relation with food quality (sestonic C:P ratio) and predation risk in these lakes. The predation risk was estimated based on the fish species present and their relative eye diameter and transparency of the lake. The C:P ratios in the lakes were high, varying from 350 to >1,200. The lakes with D. commutata had significantly lower C:P ratio than those without these daphnids. On the other hand, those lakes where Daphnia is present have the lower predation risk than those were Daphnia is absent. In addition, we carried out growth experiments with neonates and natural seston of three lakes with different C:P ratio. The growth rates were inversely related with C:P of the food. Food quality and predation risk together determined the success or failure of large Daphnia populations in these Andean clear ultraoligotrophic lakes.     

Status of Daphnia Resting Egg Banks in Bohemian Forest Lakes Affected by Acidification

We studied the egg banks of Daphnia gr. longispina in four acidified lakes in the Bohemian Forest (Czech Republic, Europe). Daphnia had become extinct in three of the studied lakes due to anthropogenic acidification and we assessed the possibility of autochthonous recovery of the population after recent amelioration of the lake environment. We determined the ephippia distribution in eleven cores 10–30 cm long, and the state of Daphnia resting eggs in over 13 000 ephippia from eight cores. Apparently well-preserved eggs were used for hatching experiments and for DNA amplification. Vertical profiles of ephippia densities in several cores did not agree with historical data on the Daphnia presence in the lakes, as the sediment had been repeatedly disturbed by human activities in the past. Ephippia are present near the surface of the sediment in all lakes, and they might therefore receive hatching cues. We were not able, however, to prove that viable eggs are present in the ephippia banks of the lakes. The percentage of the well-preserved eggs in all but one core was below 1%. In addition, no egg hatched in the hatching experiments and we were not able to amplify DNA from the preserved eggs of lakes where Daphnia is extinct, although amplification from relatively young eggs from the fourth lake was successful in 60% of the cases. We conclude that the recovery of Daphnia populations in studied lakes from autochthonous sources is unlikely.     

Daphnia community analysis in shallow Kenyan lakes and ponds using dormant eggs in surface sediments

1. Water fleas of the genus Daphnia are considered rare in tropical regions, and information on species distribution and community ecology is scarce and anecdotal. This study presents the results of a survey of Daphnia species distribution and community composition in 40 standing waterbodies in southern Kenya. The study sites cover a wide range of tropical standing aquatic habitats, from small ephemeral pools to large permanent lakes between approximately 700 and 2800 m a.s.l. Our analysis combines data on Daphnia distribution and abundance from zooplankton samples and dormant eggs in surface sediments. 2. Nearly 70% (27 of 40) of the sampled waterbodies were inhabited by Daphnia. Although their abundance in the active community was often very low, this high incidence shows that Daphnia can be equally widespread in tropical regions as in temperate regions. 3. Analysis of local species assemblages from dormant eggs in surface sediments was more productive than snapshot sampling of zooplankton communities. Surface‐sediment samples yielded eight Daphnia species in total, and allowed the detection of Daphnia in 25 waterbodies; zooplankton samples revealed the presence of only four Daphnia species in 16 waterbodies. 4. Daphnia barbata, D. laevis, and D. pulex were the most frequently recorded and most abundant Daphnia species. Canonical correspondence analysis of species–environment relationships indicates that variation in the Daphnia community composition of Kenyan waters was best explained by fish presence, temperature, macrophyte cover and altitude. Daphnia barbata and D. pulex tended to co‐occur with each other and with fish. Both species tended to occur in relatively large (>10 ha) and deeper (>2 m) alkaline waters (pH 8.5). Daphnia laevis mainly occurred in cool and clear, macrophyte‐dominated lakes at high altitudes.     

Zooplankton Seasonal Abundance of South AmericanSaline Shallow Lakes

The central provinces of Argentina are characterized by the presence of a high number of shallow lakes, located in endorheic basins, many of which have elevated salinities as well as eutrophic or hypereutrophic condition. The zooplankton of four saline shallow lakes of the province of La Pampa was studied on a monthly basis during a 2‐year period to determine its temporal and spatial variation. The surface of these shallow lakes (<2.5 m depth) varied between 56.8 and 215.9 ha, and some have from 8.4 to 20.8 g · l^–1. The more saline lakes have “clear” water and the less saline lakes “turbid” water. Fishes, Jenynsia multidentata , were present in only two lakes during the last two months of the studied period. The zooplankton was composed of 17 taxa of Rotifera, 5 taxa of Cladocera and 4 taxa of Copepoda. The low diversity and the faunistic composition are characteristic of saline environments. Although the studied lakes share 38% of the species, the faunistic similarity was higher between the two least saline lakes. The lowest diversity was found in the two most saline lakes. All four shallow lakes were characterized by their very high zooplankton density, especially in the least saline lakes (<80000 ind · l^–1). The abundance is significantly correlated with the water transparency but not with salinity. The zooplankton temporal variation was characterized by the alternation of macro‐ and microzooplankton, probably regulated by competition and intrazooplanktonic predation. In each lake, the spatial abundance distribution of the macro‐ and microzooplankton was homogeneous. It was related to the shallow depht of the lakes and their polymictic condition. The Scheffer model on alternative states in shallow lakes acknowledges that it cannot be applied to saline lakes because Daphnia , the main responsible for the clear water state, is not tolerant to high salinity. Our study shows that the most saline lakes, where the halophylic Daphnia menucoensis is abundant, have also the most clear waters. Another difference that we found with regards to the mentioned model is that, in turbid lakes, it could not have had a top‐down control on macrozooplankton exerted by fishes because in these lakes fishes were practically absent. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Cryptic diversity within the rotifer Polyarthra dolichoptera along an altitudinal gradient

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Predation on and by pelagic Turbellaria in some lakes in Brazil

Planktonic Turbellaria are of common occurrence in both natural and man-made lakes in Brazil. Experiments were performed in 1987 and 1989 to determine which zooplankton species are consumed by predatory Mesostoma sp. from three natural lakes in the Rio Doce Valley. Experiments were also performed in 1989 with a yet unidentified flatworm from Barra Bonita reservoir. Both predators consumed Daphnia and Ceriodaphnia at a high rate: 4 individuals per day in the case of Mesostoma sp., a large species and 1.5 ind day^–1 in the case of the smaller species from Barra Bonita reservoir. Consumption of copepod nauplii, copepodids and adults was much lower, and Ostracoda were not consumed at all. Experiments on food selectivity showed a clear preference by the flatworms for cladocerans.In the lakes studied, flatworms are heavily preyed upon by larvae of Chaoborus and by Mesocyclops species.Turbellaria densities in the natural lakes were around 300 individuals per cubic meter, whereas in Barra Bonita reservoir, 1000 individuals per cubic meter was a mean value in a fifteen days study.Federal University of São Carlos - Laboratory of LimnologyUniversity of São Paulo - Canter of Water Resource and Applied EcologyPost-graduate student - University of São Paulo     

Formation of morphological defences in response to YOY perch and invertebrate predation in two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphnia</Emphasis> species coexisting in a mesotrophic lake

This study examined the formation of morphological defences by two coexisting Daphnia species, the large-sized D. pulicaria (2 mm) and the small-sized D. mendotae (1.4 mm), in response to the presence of young-of-the-year (YOY) yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and invertebrate predators (Chaoborus, Leptodora) during summer in a mesotrophic lake. We hypothesized that due to differential size-selective predation risk by YOY fish and invertebrates, the large-sized and the small-sized Daphnia species would show different morphological responses to predation threats. We followed changes in two morphological traits (relative length of the tail spine in D. pulicaria and of the helmet in D. mendotae) among different periods during summer according to YOY fish and invertebrate predation. We defined four YOY fish predation periods based on the presence of YOY perch in the pelagic zone of the lake and the relative abundance of Daphnia preys in their gut contents, and two invertebrate predation periods based on exclusive or mutual occurrence of the invertebrate predators. The large-sized (D. pulicaria) and the small-sized (D. mendotae) species showed different morphological responses to YOY fish and invertebrate predators, respectively. The tail spine ratio of the juveniles and adults of D. pulicaria did not change in response to YOY fish predation or to invertebrate predation. A gradual increase in the helmet ratio was observed in the small-sized D. mendotae over the summer period. This change was related to the co-occurrence of the invertebrate predators (Chaoborus and Leptodora) and to YOY fish predation. The warmer temperature cannot be accounted for helmet elongation since it was constant across depths, and not related with the co-occurrence of D. mendotae and YOY perch. Guest editor: Piet Spaak Cladocera: Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Cladocera     

The influence of flatworm predation on zooplankton inhabiting small ponds

Experiments were performed in 1977 to determine which large zooplankton in a series of high altitude ponds can be consumed by the predatory flatworm Mesostoma ehrenbergii. This predator consumes Daphnia at a high rate and the fairy shrimp Branchinecta at a low rate, but does not consume Diaptomus. Experiments were performed in 1978 and 1979 to determined the rate of predation on Daphnia in 30 liter tubs and to determine if predation rate is correlated with surface to volume ratio of experimental containers. There is a clear correlation between surface to volume ratio and predation rate. Determinations of Mesostoma and Daphnia densities were made in a series of eight high altitude ponds, and pond surface to volume ratios were determined. Examination of these parameters lends credence to the argument that Mesostoma predation affects Daphnia dynamics in some circumstances. The results suggest that benthic invertebrate predators may affect zooplankton dynamics, especially in shallow ponds.     

Relative effects of Daphnia and Ceriodaphnia on phosphorus-chlorophyll relationships in small urban lakes

Empirical models based on zooplankton biomass were used to predict mean summer chlorophyll a (Chl a) and to examine how zooplankton influenced the total phosphorus (TP) - Chl a relationship. Four years of data were analyzed for three lakes having similar TP concentrations but varied abundances of Daphnia and Ceriodaphnia. Mean TP did not correlate significantly with mean Chl a during the study period, although mean Daphnia density was a good predictor of Chl a concentration (p > 0.001). Both residuals from the TP - Chl a relationship (p > 0.001) and Secchi depth (p > 0.007) were negatively correlated with Daphnia abundance. Ceriodaphnia abundance was positively correlated with Chl a (p > 0.002) and Secchi depth (p > 0.001). Mean size of Daphnia during spring was the best predictor of the Daphnia-Ceriodaphnia shift in mid-summer. Early establishment of a large-sized Daphnia cohort may prevent their summer elimination by Chaoborus and intensify competition with Ceriodaphnia. These results imply an important link between Daphnia and Ceriodaphnia thereby limiting the utility of Chl a - TP model predictions in these small, urban lakes. This linkage and the differential effect of these two zooplankton species on planktonic algae deserve further consideration in similar lakes where phytoplankton and zooplankton tend to be tightly coupled.     

Stoichiometry in an ecological context: testing for links between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphnia</Emphasis> P-content,growth rate and habitat preference

We used laboratory experiments with ten Daphnia taxa to test for links between Daphnia P-content, growth rate and habitat preference. The taxa represent a wide range of body sizes and most show distinct preferences for one of three habitats: shallow lakes, deep, stratified lakes or fishless ponds. Previous studies show that taxa from shallow lakes and fishless ponds experience high predation risk and rich food resources, whereas taxa from deep lakes experience low predation risk, strong food limitation and potentially P-deficient resources. Thus, we predicted higher P-content and higher maximal growth rates in taxa from ponds and shallow lakes and lower P-content, lower maximal growth but reduced sensitivity to P-limitation in taxa preferring stratified lakes. In each of 25 experiments, a clonal Daphnia cohort was cultured for 4 days on a P-sufficient (molar C:P ratio 70) or a P-deficient (C:P 1,000) diet of a green alga at a high concentration (1 mg C l^–1). The P-content of adult Daphnia fed the P-sufficient diet ranged from 1.52 to 1.22% mass. Small-bodied taxa from shallow lakes had higher P-content than larger-bodied taxa from deep lakes or fishless ponds. However, we found a nonsignificant negative correlation between P-content and growth on the P-sufficient diet, rather than the positive relationship predicted by the growth rate hypothesis. The P-deficient diet resulted in declines in both growth rate and P-content compared with the P-sufficient controls and the extent of the declines differed between taxa. Taxa from ponds showed a marginally greater decline in growth with the P-deficient diet compared with taxa from shallow or deep lakes. However, contrary to stoichiometric theory, no relationship was found between a species P-content and growth depression on the P-deficient diet. Although we found evidence for habitat adaptations, our results show that factors other than Daphnia P-content are important in determining differences between Daphnia species in both maximal growth rate and sensitivity to P-limited growth.     

Investigations on fecundity of Bythotrephes longimanus in Lake Lucerne (Switzerland) and on Niche Segregation of Leptodora kindti and Bythotrephes longimanus in Swiss lakes

In Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, the predaceous cladocerans Leptodora kindti and Bythotrephes longimanus segregate along spatial and temporal dimensions. In spring (April–May/June), Bythotrephes longimanus occurs below 0–20 m, while Leptodora is absent. In summer and early autumn (July–September/October), when Leptodora dominates during daytime in the 0–20 m depth, Bythotrephes longimanus also lives in deeper zones. Food competition and fish predation pressure may be the cause of differences in ecology of Leptodora and Bythotrephes acquired during evolution. Due to its transparency and tolerance of higher temperature, Leptodora could avoid fish predation and, therefore, competes with Bythotrephes longimanus successfully. In addition, the differences between the two species may account for the spatial and temporal niche segregation in oligotrophic Swiss Lakes. But spatial niche segregation is less important in mesotrophic lakes with high prey density than in oligotrophic lakes with low prey density. In small, eutrophic lakes importance of temporal niche segregation also decreases, and Bythotrephes is seldom or not present. The preference of Bythotrephes to live in deeper water to avoid fish predation during summer may be the cause of its difficulties to establish itself in small and eutrophic lakes with high prey densities, where the hypolimnion is missing or anoxic.In the spring, Bythotrephes exhibits r-strategy (smaller body size and a higher fecundity), the female is already fertile after the first molt. In the summer, a K-strategy prevails (larger body length and lower fecundity than in the spring), and female Bythotrephes are fertile only after the second molt. Shortage of prey (biomass of Bosmina and Daphniadecreased after June especially in the surface layers) and the maximum fish predation pressure in summer may change the life strategy of Bythotrephes: while fecundity decreases from generation to generation, body length increases. Enhanced prey densities (e.g. during mesotrophic conditions in L. Lucerne) lead to larger individuals in summer and autumn.     

Species-specific population-density thresholds in cladocerans?

The population density of a Daphnia species seems more dependent on properties specific to the species than on those specific to the point in the season, location within a lake basin or the given lake itself. In spite of week-to-week fluctuations, the population density for each of two common European Daphniaspecies was found to be remarkably similar within single lakes (from station to station on a single date, and from date to date at a single station) as well as from lake to lake, regardless of trophic state. All lakes on all dates revealed densities in the range 10–50 ind l^–1 for the smaller-bodied D. cucullata and 1–5 ind l^–1 for the larger-bodied D. hyalina, in spite of different intensity of reproduction resulting from different food levels (chlorophyll a between 0.2 and 4.2 g/l). It can be asserted that the population density of each species remains far below the carrying capacity of the habitat K, and does not depend on food levels, which merely set the rate of population increase, while the population density reflects the species' vulnerability to predation by planktivorous fish. The reactive distance (the distance over which a foraging fish can see its prey) in 1+ roach, a dominant planktivore in the lakes studied, has been found to be twice as great for D. hyalina as for D. cucullata, whatever the light intensity. The relative reactive field volume was therefore an order of magnitude greater for the former than for the latter, showing that the densities of the two prey species would be assessed by a foraging roach as equal when, in reality, they differed by an order of magnitude, as they do in various lakes and in various seasons.The first of the two conclusions is that whatever the growth and reproduction in a population of a cladoceran such as Daphnia, its density would be fixed by mortality induced by fish predation. The second would be, that the difference between the bottom-up and top-down effects in freshwater is more than merely the upward or downward direction along the food web, since the bottom-up effects are about the flow control (the rate of net production, individual growth rate, rate of reproduction) and the top-down about the standing-crop control (biomass, individual body size, population density level).