Reduced digestibility of UV-B stressed and nutrient-limited algae by Daphnia magna

  • Ellen van Donk
  • Dag O. Hessen
Conference paper
Part of the Developments in Hydrobiology book series (DIHY, volume 107)

Abstract

Daphnia magna was fed the green alga Selenastrum capricornutum, cultured under four different growth conditions: (1) phosphorus limitation, (2) nitrogen limitation, (3) UV-B irradiation, and (4) no nutrient limitation, no UV-B irradiation. Contrary to non-limited algal cells, nutrient-limited cells were not efficiently assimilated. Especially, P-limited cells passed through the gut mostly intact, while N-limited cells were partly assimilated. Also, algae exposed to moderate doses of UV-B radiation (0.3 mW cm-2 of UV312) were less efficiently assimilated after being grazed. Digestibility of the algae decreased with increased UV-B exposure time. Nutrient-limited and UV-B stressed algal cells increased in volume and became granular in appearance. These changes in the algal cells, combined with changed cell wall properties, most probably reduced their digestibility.

Key words

Daphnia digestibility grazing nutrient limitation phytoplankton UV-B 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 1995

Authors and Affiliations

  • Ellen van Donk
    • 1
  • Dag O. Hessen
    • 2
  1. 1.Dept. of Water Quality Management and Aquatic EcologyAgricultural University WageningenWageningenThe Netherlands
  2. 2.Biological Institute, Div. Limnology, BlindernUniversity of OsloOsloNorway

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