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The estimation of crop evacuation rates in Chaoborus larvae (Diptera: Chaoboridae) using natural prey |
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| Authors: | L A GIGUÈRE |
| Institution: | Institute of Animal Resource Ecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1W5, Canada |
| Abstract: | SUMMARY. 1. Crop evacuation rates were estimated for the first time in Chaoborus larvae, using natural prey. 2. Fourth instar C. americanus Matheson digested copepods (Diaptomus leptopus S.A. Forbes) 48.7% faster than daphnids (Daphnia rosea Leydig) of similar size; meal size did not significantly affect the instantaneous rate of digestion (IRD) within each prey type. Prey specific IRD has not been reported before for zooplankton. 3. Prey specific differences in IRD require the use of natural prey when digestion experiments are to be used to estimate natural rates of food consumption of animals. |
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