Acute toxicity and bioaccumulation of endosulfan in rotifer (Brachionus calyciflorus).

1. The acute toxicity of endosulfan was determined for the freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus. 2. The mean 24 hr LC50 value for endosulfan was 5.15 ppm with a coefficient of variation of 14.7%. 3. Rotifers were exposed at two sublethal concentrations (1.5-2.0 ppm) of endosulfan for bioaccumulation experiments, for an exposure time of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr. The rotifers were fed with Nannochloris oculata (5 x 10(5) cell/ml). 4. The highest accumulation of endosulfan was found 24 hr after the start of the exposure to 1.5 ppm of the toxicant. A steady-state concentration in rotifer was reached between 24-48 hr, followed by a gradual decrease until 96 hr.     

Feeding in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus

Summary The laboratory feeding behavior of Brachionus calyciflorus varies depending upon the type of food cell available in suspension. When feeding on the yeast Rhodotorula glutinis, rotifers show a continuous increase in ingestion with increased cell density between 0.01 and 1000 g dry weight ml^-1. Effective clearance rates drop from ca. 50 l animal^-1 h^-1 to less than 0.5 l animal^-1 h^-1 over this food density range. When feeding on Englena gracilis, B. calyciflorus ingestion rates are constant between 1.0 and 100 g ml^-1 of available food, averaging close to 25 ng animal^-1 h^-1. The decrease in clearance rate is more striking than with R. glutinis, dropping from 45 l animal^-1 h^-1 at 0.1 g ml^-1 to 0.13 l animal^-1 h^-1 at 100 g ml^-1. Differences between the patterns obtained with the two food types indicate fundamental dissimilarities in the feeding behavior of this rotifer species when presented with these different foods.     

Ecotoxicological studies with the freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus

The use of the freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus as a test organism for ecotoxicological studies was examined. Changes in the feeding-, swimming behavior- and demographic characteristics of the rotifers exposed to increasing concentrations of copper (Cu) were studied and the relationships between the different test parameters and their ecological relevance evaluated.Relatively simple short-term bioassay methods were developed to measure the swimming activity (2 hours) and the filtration (5 hours) rate. Life-table experiments were performed to asses the long-term effects of Cu on the rotifers. Significant reductions in the filtration rate, the swimming activity and the demographic parameter r were observed at 20, 12 and 5 g 1^–1 of Cu, respectively. The implications and the possible ecotoxicological applications of the results are discussed.     

The genome of the freshwater monogonont rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus

Monogononta is the most speciose class of rotifers, with more than 2,000 species. The monogonont genus Brachionus is widely distributed at a global scale, and a few of its species are commonly used as ecological and evolutionary models to address questions related to aquatic ecology, cryptic speciation, evolutionary ecology, the evolution of sex and ecotoxicology. With the importance of Brachionus species in many areas of research, it is remarkable that the genome has not been characterized. This study aims to address this lacuna by presenting, for the first time, the whole‐genome assembly of the freshwater species Brachionus calyciflorus. The total length of the assembled genome was 129.6 Mb, with 1,041 scaffolds. The N50 value was 786.6 kb, and the GC content was 24%. A total of 16,114 genes were annotated with repeat sequences, accounting for 21% of the assembled genome. This assembled genome may form a basis for future studies addressing key questions on the evolution of monogonont rotifers. It will also provide the necessary molecular resources to mechanistically investigate ecophysiological and ecotoxicological responses.     

Demographic parameters of Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas (Rotifers) exposed to sublethal endosulfan concentrations

The effects of sublethal levels of endosulfan (0, 1, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.3 mg 1^–1) on the demography of the rotifer Brachionus calyciorus were studied. Life expectancy at birth (e _o), net reproductive rate (Ro), generation time (T) and intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) were significant differentes between blank controls and controls with acetone. The effective endosulfan concentration at which a given parameter value was reduced to 50% of the controls (EC50) was calculated for life expectancy.     

Chronic toxicity of methylparathion to the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus fed on Nannochloris oculata and Chlorella pyrenoidosa

The effect of sublethal levels of methylparathion (0, 1, 3, 5, 7 mg l^–1) on the freshwater rotifer, Brachionus calyciflorus, during their entire life cycle was studied. Rotifers were fed on two species of unicellular algae: Nannochloris oculata and Chlorella pyrenoidosa; both algal concentrations were 5 × 10⁵ cell ml^–1.The parameters used to determine the toxicity of this compound were survival, fecundity, net reproductive rate (R)_o, generation time (T), intrinsic rate of natural increase (r), reproductive value (V _x/V_o) and life expectancy at hatching (eo). All the demographic parameters studied were affected by methyl-parathion exposure on rotifers fed on both species of algae, but the toxic effect was larger when animals were fed on Chlorella pyrenoidosa; in this case, animals showed a decreased in fertility and also a delayed first reproduction. Sublethal methylparathion levels produced a reduction in most of the parameters selected, especially after exposure to 7 mg l^–1, where the animals died before reproducing.     

Combined influences of particulate and dissolved factors in the toxicity of Microcystis aeruginosa (NRC-SS-17) to the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus

The rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus is subject to the combined influence of particulate and dissolved factors derived from the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. Toxicity manifests itself through reduction of cohort survivorship and probably though reduction of cohort reproduction. Toxic effects are seen only when there is a particulate food material available in suspension, either M. aeruginosa itself or another food type which may act as a carrier for a dissolved toxic factor. Regardless of exact mechanism, the presence of a toxic strain of this blue-green may lead to diminution of population growth of co-occurring rotifer populations.     

维生素E对萼花臂尾轮虫繁殖的影响

15℃下 ,添加 Ve浓度为 2 0～ 80 ng/ m l时 ,种群密度与培养时间呈显著相关 ,其中 2 0 ng/ ml和 4 0 ng/ ml组最大种群密度分别为 76 .4 0 ind/ ml和 6 5 .2 0 ind/ ml,显著高于对照组 (最大密度 12 .0 0 ind/ ml)。最大混交雌体百分率低于 10 % ,对照组最大混交雌体比率为 4 0 %。轮虫卵雌比有不同程度的提高 ,但维生素浓度为 10 0 ng/ ml时 ,对种群增长不利 ;2 5℃下 ,对照组和各添加组最大密度依次为 6 8.0 0 ,12 2 .0 0 ,12 4 .0 0 ,16 8.0 0和 2 36 .0 0 ind/ ml。最大卵雌比依次为 1.2 1,1.2 5 ,1.2 2 ,1.4 1和 0 .6 9,混交雌体百分比分别为 2 7.6 9,19.89,18.4 2 ,17.0 2和 12 .88% ;30℃下 ,最大密度依次为 113.80 ,12 1.0 0 ,12 2 .80和 15 1.2 0 ind/ ml,最大卵雌比依次为 1.5 0 ,1.4 2 ,0 .6 4和 0 .96。混交雌体百分比分别为 1.76 ,32 .2 6 ,37.5 0和 32 .0 0 %。     

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.     

Monoxenic cultivation of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus in a defined medium

Summary Techniques are described for the initiation and maintenance of axenic cultures of Euglena gracilis strain Z and monoxenic cultures of Brachionus calyciflorus variety pala with the Euglena, using in both the same defined, buffered medium. The medium, which is inorganic—except for the citrate chelating agent, the buffer, and vitamins B₁ and B₁₂ — has been used for the axenic cultuvation of the Euglena for more than 13 months. The monoxenic Brachionus cultures, established by inoculating rotifers into Euglena cultures, have been maintained for more than 8 months. Contamination tests on the rotifer cultures were performed frequently in three different test media.Mictic females, males, and resting eggs of Brachionus were observed in the monoxenic cultures, and considerable variation in the length of the posterolateral spines was noted.The compatibility of a rotifer to a defined medium which sustains the axenic culture of its food organism is a feature of this system which is convenient, useful, and unique to date in synxenic rotifer culture work.Supported by National Science Foundation Grant No. GB 7717.     

萼花臂尾轮虫交配行为和受精作用研究

萼花臂尾轮虫的交配行类在致可分为５个阶段,除雌雄性比为１：２和１３时混交雌体的受精率为１００％外,其余性比下混交雌体的受精率皆无显著的差异。可受精的混交雌体自分率和具有精能力的雄性百分率皆降年龄的增大而下降,的有的混交雌体在出生后的４ｈ内均易于受精,以后随着雌长（Ｘ,ｈ）的增加,可受精的混交雌体百分率（Ｙ,％）呈非线性下降,Ｙ＝１６６．６３８６－１７．８１３Ｘ＋０．４８３７Ｘ＾２,当岭长达１８ｈ时     

Impact of turbulence and turbidity on the grazing rate of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus (Pallas)

The impact of turbulence and turbidity on Brachionus calyciflorus grazing rate was determined in short feeding periods (10 min), using labelled Chlorella pyrenoïdosa. The response to water motion of B. calyciflorus depends on it physiological state: the grazing rate of recently fed amictic females stomach green (with one or two eggs) is significantly reduced in agitated environments compared with non-agitated environments. In contrast, the grazing rate of starved amictic females is not reduced by water motion, whatever its velocity (V1=0.18 m s?1 and V2=0.22 m s?1). In the presence of suspended particles (3–6-μm silica beads), a larger reduction in grazing rate is observed in agitated water at any water velocity (V1=0.18 m s?1 or V2=0.22 m s?1), than in stagnant water. A synergy between turbulence and turbidity is unfavourable to feeding of rotifers.     

Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas (Rotatoria) in Inland Waters of Tropical Latitudes Brachionus calyciflorus Tropical in Waters

The widely distributed Brachionus calyciflorus was studied for morphological variation based on material from all tropical areas. The subspecies B. calyciflorus borgerti Apstein is redescribed and its subspecific status affirmed. Various forms with local distributions were noted and described and the morphological differences are attributed to a variety of possible factors. From the distribution patterns it is clear that rotifers are governed by the general principles that apply to other invertebrates and are not cosmopolitan. There are evidently dispersal centres for Brachionus calyciflorus and its subspecies borgerti.     

Near-coronal fluid flow patterns and food cell manipulation in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus

Brachionus calyciflorus is able to differentially capture or deflect potential food cells depending on the overall density (numbers µl^–1) and size of suspended particles the rotifer encounters while feeding. This has been shown to correlate with behavioral regulation of pseudotrochal structures, and primarily by large medial tufts of compound cilia (cirri). When pseudotrochal cirri are extended laterally, inferred fluid flow pathlines show that only cells in the central 25 µm of the coronal disk are subject to ingestion. When pseudotrochal cirri form medially-oriented screens, fluid flow is directed away from the pseudotrochas and central corona, an effect apparent up to 70 µm in front of a restrained animal. Fluid flow in all areas of the B. calyciflorus corona is at very low Reynolds Number (Re), with calculated values always less than 10^–1. Accordingly, removal of cells from feeding currents probably is not due to sieving but is more likely due to direct interception of particles by individual ciliary elements. Certain large cells — such as Euglena gracilis — are retained in the inner pseudotrochal space for up to 500 msec, ample time for B. calyciflorus to assess the physical and chemical characteristics of this or other potential foods.     

Further observations on developmental polymorphism and its evolution in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus

SUMMARY. In laboratory experiments, long, Asplanchna-induced posterolateral spines of Brachionus calyciflorus were very effective in preventing their capture and subsequent ingestion by the predator Asplanchna sieboldi but provided no protection against predation by Mesocyclops edax. Young, short-spined B. calyciflorus were always captured after attack by adult A. sieboldi and were ingested in about 12 seconds. Adult, short-spined forms were captured on c. 35% of occasions when attacked by this predator and were ingested in about 50 s. Young and adult long-spined forms were captured by this predator on c. 60% of occasions when attacked, but they both almost invariably escaped or were rejected 20–35 s after capture. Short- and long-spined B. calyciflorus adults were always captured when attacked by adult, female M. edax and were completely ingested in about 20 s and 30 s, respectively. Life-table experiments conducted with B. calyciflorus at several levels of the food organism, Aerobacter aerogenes, showed that neither the possession of long posterolateral spines nor the production of offspring with long posterolateral spines interfered with survivorship, fecundity, or reproductive potential. In the laboratory, the volumes of the amictic parthenogenetic eggs of B. calyciflorus cultured on Euglena or Aerobacter were significantly greater in individuals from populations maintaining long posterolateral spines than in comparable-sized individuals from populations maintaining short spines. Egg volume was generally independent of adult body length, but it was significantly greater in Brachionus fed on Euglena compared with Aerobacter. Possible reasons why B. calyciflorus does not produce long posterolateral spines in the absence of Asplanchna are discussed. Few organisms other than B. calyciflorus are known to develop novel defensive phenotypes in direct response to the presence of a predator. It is suggested that such developmental responses evolve only when two conditions apply: (1) the defensive structure is primarily effective against a single type of predator, and (2) the prey organism exhibiting the response has a short generation time.     

Comparative population growth and life table demography of the rotifer Asplanchna girodi at different prey (Brachionus calyciflorus and Brachionus havanaensis) (Rotifera) densities

Population growth and life table demography of the predatory rotifer A. girodi using spineless Brachionus calyciflorus and spined Brachionus havanaensis as prey at densities of 1, 2, 4 and 8 ind. ml^–1 at 25°C were studied. Regardless of the prey species, the population of A. girodi increased with increasing availability of Brachionus in the medium. At any given prey density, A. girodi fed B. calyciflorus showed consistently better growth than when fed B. havanaensis. The maximum population densities of A. girodi varied from 0.28 to 1.8 ind. ml^–1 depending on the prey species and the density. The rate of population increase observed in population growth studies varied from 0.17 to 0.43 day^–1 when fed B. calyciflorus and 0.09 to 0.27 day^–1 when fed B. havanaensis. Male population of A. girodi was closely related to female density. The lowest average lifespan was observed for A. girodi when fed B. havanaensis at 1 ind. ml^–1, while the converse was the case when fed B. calyciflorus at comparable prey concentration. Net reproductive rates varied from 16 to 26 offspring female^–1 lifespan^–1 depending on the prey species and concentration. Generation time of A. girodi decreased with increasing food concentrations for both the prey species. The rates of population increase obtained from life table demography were lower for A. girodi when fed B. havanaensis than when fed B. calyciflorus.     

Does excess carbon affect respiration of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas?

1. Herbivorous zooplankton maintain a rather constant elemental composition in their body mass as compared with the variability commonly encountered in their food. Furthermore, their high phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) content means that they often face an excess of carbon (C) in their diet. Regulation of this surplus of energy may occur via modulation of assimilation efficiency, or postassimilation by increased respiration (CO₂) and/or excretion dissolved organic carbon, DOC. Whereas several studies have examined the effect of elemental imbalance in the genus Daphnia, few have examined other zooplankton taxa. 2. We investigated whether the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus uses increased respiration as a means of stoichiometrically regulating excess dietary C. Growth rate and respiration were measured under different food qualities (C : N and C : P ratios). 3. Both C : N and C : P ratios in food had strong effects on growth rate, demonstrating strong nutrient limitation of rotifer growth when nutrient elements were depleted in the diet and indicating the need for stoichiometric regulation of excess ingested C. 4. Respiration measurements, supported by a stoichiometric model, indicated that excess C was not released as CO₂ in B. calyciflorus and that nutrient balance must therefore be maintained by other means such as excretion of DOC or egestion in faecal material.     

除草剂草甘膦对萼花臂尾轮虫生活史特征的影响

采用生命表实验方法研究了不同浓度(0.10、0.50、3.00、5.50、8.00和10.50mg·L^-1)的除草剂草甘膦对萼花臂尾轮虫生活史特征的影响.结果表明,草甘膦对轮虫的胚胎发育时间、幼体阶段历期、生殖期历期、平均寿命、净生殖率和种群内禀增长率均有显著影响.与对照组相比,当草甘膦浓度为3.00和8.00mg·L^-1时,轮虫胚胎发育时间显著延长;达3.00mg·L^-1时,轮虫的幼体阶段历期开始显著延长;达8.00和0.50mg·L^-1时,轮虫净生殖率和种群内禀增长率分别开始显著降低.在各参数中,种群内禀增长率是较敏感的指标,可用于监测草甘膦对萼花臂尾轮虫生活史特征的影响.     

两品系萼花臂尾轮虫摄食强度的比较研究

对广州和芜湖两品系萼花臂尾轮虫的摄食强度及其与食物浓度、食物种类和培养时间之间的关系进行了比较研究.结果表明,食物浓度、食物种类和培养时间均对轮虫滤水率和摄食率有显著影响.两品系轮虫滤水率和摄食率均随培养时间的延长而减小;20 h内,两品系轮虫的总滤水率均与食物浓度呈曲线相关,而两品系轮虫总摄食率均与食物浓度呈直线相关.广州和芜湖两品系轮虫均在以小球藻为食物时有较大的滤水率,分别为0.0029±0.0001和0.0039±0.0008ml·ind.^-1·h^-1;广州品系轮虫以小球藻为食物时的摄食率(0.3992×10⁴±0.00850×⁴ cell·ind.-1·h^-1)显著地大于以栅藻为食物时的摄食率(0.170×⁴±0.0370×⁴ cell·ind.^-1·h^-1),而它们均与以混合藻为食物时的摄食率无显著差异;芜湖品系轮虫摄食率不受食物种类影响.轮虫滤水率和摄食率因食物浓度、食物种类和培养时间的不同而在品系间存在着差异.     

内分泌干扰物氰戊菊酯和有机锡对萼花臂尾轮虫生殖的影响

25℃,投喂密度为(2～3)×106cells/ml的蛋白核小球藻,采用单"克隆"培养的方法对萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)进行慢性毒性实验,分别比较具有环境雌性和雄性激素效应的药物氰戊菊酯(Fenvalerate)和三丁基氯化锡(TBTC)对萼花臂尾轮虫亲代单次携卵量、总产卵量和后代数、以及亲代和F1代的混交比率的影响.结果表明:氰戊菊酯处理组,亲代单次携2和3个卵的频次在浓度达400μg/L时都显著高于对照组(p<0.05),而亲代单次携1个卵的频次都显著低于对照组(p<0.05).各浓度组总产卵量都显著高于对照组(p<0.05),后代数也明显增高.氰戊菊酯在两个最低实验浓度(0.64μg/L和3.2μg/L)就会对亲代混交率和子一代混交率、MF/AF存在显著影响.TBTC处理组在浓度0.0016、0.008μg/L和1μg/L亲代单次携1个卵的频次显著高于对照组,而携3个和4个卵的频次显著低于对照组(p<0.01).亲代总产卵量和所产后代数在TBTC各处理组都显著低于对照组(0.0016μg/L除外)(p<0.05).而子一代的混交率、MF/AF等都显著低于对照组(p<0.05).实验表明氰戊菊酯和TBTC对萼花臂尾轮虫的生殖具有明显的内分泌干扰效应.