Effects of food limitation on the life history of Simocephalus expinosus Koch (Cladocera: Daphniidae)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Laboratoire de Recherche et de Conservation des Zones Humides, 8 Mai 45 University, Guelma

2 Center of Excellence for Research in Biodiversity, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Life history features of the Cladocera Simocephalus expinosus were examined at ambient room temperature in the laboratory at three different food concentrations of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: high food (12 x 105cells/ml), intermediate food (65 x 104cells/ml) and low food (5 x 104cells/ml). Culture media and food were renewed each day. As food level increased, there was a reduction in the age at maturity. Early reproducing females at larger sizes are accompanied by the production of larger broods which generate an important number of neonates per reproductive female. On the contrary, when food level diminished, there was an increase in the age at maturity. Later reproducing females at smaller sizes induced smaller broods and consequently, generate a lesser number of neonates.

Keywords

Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, B. Zoology
Volume 5, Issue 2
September 2013
Pages 25-31

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