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Feeding preference and population growth of Asplanchna brightwelli (Rotifera) offered two non-evasive prey rotifers

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Abstract

Population growth rates of the predatory rotifer Asplanchna brightwelli were determined at 25 °C using a large (Brachionus calyciflorus) and a small (Anuraeopsis fissa) rotifer prey species in three concentrations (0.5, 0.1 and 2.0 μg dry weight ml-1) and in five combinations. The prey ingestion time by the predator was also measured. For B. calyciflorus the ingestion time (22.97–8.95 s) was more than six times that of A. fissa (3.68 ± 0.93). Regardless of prey type, the population growth of Asplanchna increased with increasing food density. There was a direct correlation between densities of amictic and mictic fernales. The maximum rate of population growth (1.01 ± 0.10 d-1) was higher at high density of A. fissa prey than that at the same density of B. calyciflorus. Progressive increase of A. fissa density in the offered food combination resulted in a corresponding increase of the predator's number. Gut content analysis of A. brightwelli revealed that the number of prey ingested increased with increasing prey densities.

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Author notes

  1. S. Nandini

    Present address: Laboratoria de Zoologia, UNAM – Campus Iztacala, Av. de Los Barrios s/n, CP 54090 Tlalnepantla, AP 314, Edo. de Mexico, Mexico

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Animal Ecology, University of Ghent, Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000, Gent, Belgium

    S. S. S. Sarma, S. Nandini & H. J. Dumont

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  1. S. S. S. Sarma
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  2. S. Nandini
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  3. H. J. Dumont
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Sarma, S.S.S., Nandini, S. & Dumont, H.J. Feeding preference and population growth of Asplanchna brightwelli (Rotifera) offered two non-evasive prey rotifers. Hydrobiologia 361, 77–88 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003189312452

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