Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effectiveness of the caudal spine as a defense mechanism in Keratella cochlearis

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The temporal distribution of spined and unspined forms of Keratella cochlearis in Cubillas reservoir during an annual cycle, and the stomach contents of Asplanchna girodi, were studied. The results suggest that the length of the caudal spine plays a critical role in the defense against predation by Asplanchna girodi. Short-spined forms showed a higher susceptibility to predation than unspined forms, which may have important consequencies for spine length variation in Keratella cochlearis populations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Eloranta, P., 1982. Notes on the morphological variation of the rotifer species Keratella cochlearis (Gosse) s.l. in one eutrophic pond. J. Plankton Res. 4: 299–312.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galkovskaya, G. A. & I. F. Mityanina, 1989. Morphological structure and functional] patterns of Keratella cochlearis (Gosse) populations in stratified lakes. In C. Ricci, T. W. Snell & C. E. King (eds), Rotifer Symposium V. Developments in Hydrobiology 52. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht: 119–128. Reprinted from Hydrobiologia 186/187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher, J. J., 1957. Cyclomorphosis in the rotifer Keratella cochlearis (Gosse). Trans. Am. micr. Soc. 76: 197–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, J. J., 1988. Susceptibilities of ten rotifer species to interference from Daphnia pulex. Ecology 69: 1826–1838.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, J. J. & K. L. Kirk, 1988. Escape response of the rotifer Keratella: Description, stimulation, fluid dynamics, and ecological significance. Limnol. Oceanogr. 33: 1440–1450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofmann, W., 1983. On temporal variation in the rotifer Keratella cochlearis (Gosse): the question of ‘Lauterborn-cycles’. In C. Forsberg & J.-A. Johansson (eds), Forest Water Ecosystems. Developments in Hydrobiology 13. Dr W. Junk Publishers, The Hague: 247–254. Reprinted from Hydrobiologia 101 (1–2).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauterborn, R., 1900. Der Formenkreis von Anurea cochlearis. Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Variabilität bei Rotatorien. I. Teil: Morphologische Gliederung des Formenkreises. Verh. naturh. med. Ver. naturh. med. Ver. Heidelb., N.F., Bd. 7: 412–448.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauterborn, R., 1904. Der Formenkreis von Anurea cochlearis. II. Teil: Die cyklische oder temporale Variation von Anuraea cochlearis. Verh. naturh. med. Ver. naturh. med. Ver. Heidelb., N.F., Bd. 7: 529–621.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacIsaac, H. J. & J. J. Gilbert, 1989. Competition between rotifers and cladocerans of different body sizes. Oecologia 81: 295–305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morales-Baquero, R., J. M. Conde-Porcuna, C. Pérez-Martínez & L. Cruz-Pizarro, 1991. Vertical light attenuation in four reservoirs of Genil river (Granada, Spain). Proc. Internat. Congr. on Large Dams. ICOLD, 91: 137–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pejler, B., 1962. On the variation of the rotifer Keratella cochlearis (Gosse). Zool. Bidr. Upps. 35: 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pejler, B. & B. Berzins, 1989. On choice of substrate and habitat in brachionid rotifers. In C. Ricci, T. W. Snell & C. E. King (eds), Rotifer Symposium V. Developments in Hydrobiology 52. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht: 137–144. Reprinted from Hydrobiologia 186/187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R. R. & F. J. Rohlf, 1986. Introducción a la bioestadística. Ed. Reverte (Spanish edition). Barcelona, 362 pp.

  • Stemberger, R. S., 1988. Reproductive costs and hydrodynamic benefits of chemically induced defenses in Keratella testudo. Limnol. Oceanogr. 33: 593–606.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stemberger, R. S. & J. J. Gilbert, 1984. Spine development in the rotifer Keratella cochlearis; induction by cyclopoid copepods and Asplanchna. Fresh Wat. Biol. 14: 639–647.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stemberger, R. S. & J. J. Gilbert, 1987. Defenses of planktonic rotifers against predators. In W. C. Kerfoot & A. Sih (eds), Predation: Direct and Indirect Impacts on Aquatic Communities. New England: 227–239.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Biología Animal y Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 8071, Granada, Spain

    José M. Conde-Porcuna & R. Morales-Baquero

  2. Instituto del Agua, Universidad de Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain

    L. Cruz-Pizarro

Authors
  1. José M. Conde-Porcuna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. Morales-Baquero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. Cruz-Pizarro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Conde-Porcuna, J.M., Morales-Baquero, R. & Cruz-Pizarro, L. Effectiveness of the caudal spine as a defense mechanism in Keratella cochlearis . Hydrobiologia 255, 283–287 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00025850

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00025850

Key words

Search

Navigation