Population responses and fatty acid profiles of Brachionus calyciflorus (Rotifera) in relation to different thermal regimes.

Diurnal temperature fluctuations affect ectothermic species more than endothermic taxa. We tested the effect of three fixed temperatures (20, 25 and 30 °C) and a 24 h variable (20-30 °C) on the population growth and fatty acid profiles of the common rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus. Depending on the temperature treatment, the peak population abundances of B. calyciflorus varied from 65 to 80 ind./ml, the lowest being on variable temperature range. The rate of population increase varied from 0.31 to 0.52 per day, highest being at 30 °C. There was a curvilinear relationship between the population density and the egg ratio (number of eggs/female) in all the tested temperature regimes. The egg ratio was higher (>0.6) for treatments involving fixed temperatures, but for variable temperature regime, the egg ratios were lower (<0.5). Temperature also induced changes in the fatty acid content of B. calyciflorus. While the total saturated fatty acids increased, both mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acids decreased with increasing temperature regime. These results have been interpreted in relation to the role of temperature (both intensity and mode of exposure) on the population growth characteristics of rotifers.

Four Transgenerational Demographic Performance of Moina macrocopa Exposed to Chronic Levels of Cadmium.

In this study, we quantified intergenerational, demographic variability of Moina macrocopa subjected to cadmium stress. Exposure of M macrocopa to cadmium (0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mg/L as CdCl2) through 4 consecutive generations revealed changes in demographic responses not only in survivorship variables but also in reproductive parameters. Long-term demographic responses varied differently, depending on the demographic trait and the concentration of heavy metal in the medium. With the exception of generation time, all life history traits were significantly and adversely influenced due to increase in Cd concentrations. The average life span of M macrocopa varied up to 40% depending on Cd level and the generation of exposure. The highest gross reproductive rates were recorded in controls, while the lowest (∼30% less) were recorded at the highest Cd level. Survival-weighted net reproductive rates were reduced by nearly 50% due to Cd toxicity. The rate of population increase per day of M macrocopa was also significantly affected (∼25%) by Cd as compared to controls. This cladoceran showed a dose-response to Cd toxicity with a significance in both magnitude and frequency of offspring production.

Temperature and age affect the life history characteristics and fatty acid profiles of Moina macrocopa (Cladocera).

Demographic responses and fatty acid profiles of Moina macrocopa were quantified under different temperature regimes (20°C, 25°C and 30°C and diurnally variable 20-30°C) and at fixed ration (10.65µgDWml(-1)) of Chlorella. Highest constant temperature (30°C) reduced the density of M. macrocopa. The cladocerans under the fluctuating temperature regime too had lower population growth (about 50% lower than that at constant 25°C). The survivorship of M. macrocopa was higher at 20°C than that at 25°C and 30°C or at variable temperature regime. Gross and net reproductive rates were higher at 25°C. At 20°C, neonates had the highest proportion (67%) of myristic, palmitic and stearic acids while the adults had the lowest (26%) proportion. For both adults and neonates, palmitoleic, linoleic and linolenic comprised of 15-35% of the total fatty acids. Higher percentage (19%) of linoleic acid was present in adults than neonates (7%). Adults had linolenic acid level which was 3-times higher than in neonates. Linoleic and linolenic fatty acids decreased with increasing temperature for neonates and adults from 20°C to 30°C. The demographic responses and fatty acid profiles of M. macrocopa were discussed in relation to level and mode of temperature exposure.

Somatic and population growth responses of Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia pulex (Cladocera) to changes in food (Chlorella vulgaris) level and temperature.

We quantified the combined effects of three food levels (0.01 x 10(6), 0.1 x 10(6) and 1.0 x 10(6) cells ml(-1)) and three temperature levels (15, 20 and 25 degrees C) on the somatic and the clonal population growth of two cladocerans Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia pulex for 24 to 42 days. The somatic growth data showed that both the cladoceran species began to increase their body size within 3 days and remained stable beyond a week. Food density had a significant effect on the body size of C. dubia while for D. pulex, food level and temperature as well as their interaction had significant effect on the body size. The population growth of both the cladoceran species was affected by temperature. At 15 degrees C, C. dubia showed little growth at the highest food density, while at low food level, there was some increase in the population abundances, especially after a long lag phase of about 2 weeks. At 15 degrees C and under the lowest tested food level, the population of D. pulex did not increase beyond the inoculation density. Optimal population growth of D. pulex was observed at intermediate temperature and at 1.0 x 10(6) cells ml(-1) of food level while for C. dubia 25 degrees C and the highest food level yielded highest growth. At low food level and low temperature, the rate of population increase (r) of C. dubia was much lower than that of D. pulex at comparable conditions. On the hand, at higher food levels and temperature regimes, the r of D. pulex was much higher than that of C.dubia. Regardless of the food levels and temperature, the r of C. dubia varied from 0.03 to 0.07 while that of D. pulex varied from 0.01 to 0.08 day(1).