Abstract
The present work is a study of the cladoceran fauna and its reproduction during drought, in grasslands modified by embankment for irrigation be periodical flooding at Mantecal, Venezuela. Due to the importance of changing reproductive mechanisms of cladocerans in response to changing conditions, we present the daily variation of certain species that have both sexual and parthenogenetic females, thus contributing a first report on the reproductive cycles of cladocerans in this country. During February and March of 1980, corresponding to the final period of the dry season, samples were collected in the whole water column (5–38 cm) every two days with a Van Dorn sampler of 1-liter capacity. Environmental conditions were recorded at the same time.
The cladoceran community consisted of 13 species. Study of six of these species revealed that sexual females were most abundant in March when the water level was lowest, while parthenogenetic females were at their peaks in February. However, all species showed variation at the beginning and end of their reproductive periods.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allan, J. D., 1977. An analysis of seasonal dynamics of a mixed populationDaphnia and the associated cladoceran community. Freshwat. Biol. 7: 505–512.
Betancourt, G. A., 1983. Sucesión de copépodos en un pastizal inundable del Módulo Experimental de Mantecal (Edo. Apure). Tesis de Grado. Escuela de Biología, U.C.V. 76 pp.
Green, J., 1966. Seasonal variation in egg production by Cladocera. J. Anim. Ecol. 35: 77–105.
Hall, D. J., 1964. An experimental approach to the dynamics of a natural population ofDaphnia galeata mendotae. Ecology 45: 94–112.
Hebert, P. D., 1974. Ecological differences between genotypes in a natural population ofDaphnia magna. Heredity 33: 327–337.
Kerfoot, W. C., 1981. Long-term replacement cycles in cladoceran communities: A history of predation. Ecology 6: 216–233.
Michelangelli, P. F., 1977. Comparaciones ecológicas del plancton en el Módulo Experimental de Mantecal y un estero natural. Tesis de Grado. Escuela de Biologia, U.C.V. 151 pp.
Potts, W. T. W. & G. Fryer, 1979. The effects of pH and salt content on sodium balance inDaphnia magna andAcantholeberis curvirostris (Crustacea: Cladocera). J. Comp. Physiol. 129B: 289–294.
Shirgur, G. A. & A. A. Naik, 1977. Observations on morphology, taxonomy, ephippial hatching and laboratory culture of a chydorid cladoceran from Back Bay, Bombay. Spec. Publ. Nat. L. Inst. Oceanogr. 48–59.
Sitaramaiah, P., 1979. Diurnal and seasonal variations of tropical infralittoral heleo-zooplankton. Proc. Indian Natl. Sci. Acad. Part. B. Biol. Sci. 45(5): 557–563.
Slobodkin, L. B., 1954. Population dynamics inDaphnia obtusa Kutz. Ecol. Monogr. 24: 69–88.
Taramona, M., 1981. Variación estacional y sucesión del fitoplancton en dos pastizales de Mantecal (Edo. Apure). Trabajo Especial de Grado, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, U.C.V. 122 pp.
Walton, W. E., S. M. Compton, J. D. Allan & R. E. Daniels, 1982. The effect of acid stress on survivorship and reproduction ofDaphnia pulex (Crustacea, Cladocera). Can. J. Zool. 60: 573–579.
Zoppi, E., F. Michelangelli & S. Segovia, 1985. Cladóceros de Sabanas inundables, Mantecal (Edo. Apure). Acta Biolog. Venez., Vol. 12 (1).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jiménez, B., Zoppi de Roa, E. Reproductive variations of cladocerans in grasslands periodically flooded for irrigation in Mantecal, Venezuela. Hydrobiologia 145, 293–298 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02530290
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02530290