Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Some Effects of Light on the Growth, Molting, Reproduction and Survival of the Cladoceran, Daphnia pulex

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Daphnia pulex were raised under nine light intensities, 0, 1.7, 3.5, 7, 14, 28, 55 and 110 ft-c, polarized light, 6.6 ft-c, and four wavelength ranges, violet, blue, green and red.

Of the nine light intensities studied, only 28 ft-c significantly depressed growth. Light generally may retard growth between molts. There was no intensity effect on molting rate although there was a significant affect on the number of preadult molts. Light may affect the amount of time prior to the release of the first brood. Light intensity did not affect the average number of broods per adult but significantly affected the number of young per brood and young per adult and the effects varied. High light intensity significantly affected the number of undeveloped young and nonviable eggs and abortion rate. Reproduction curves under darkness, 3.5, 7, 14, 28 and 55 ft-c do not drop rapidly after an initial peak and apparent plateaus exist with a decline in reproduction during later instars. Light did not significantly affect survival.

All effects of polarized light (6.6 ft-c) were indistinguishable from the effects of light intensity.

Red wavelengths significantly retard total growth and green wavelengths significantly stimulate molting and retard growth between molts. There was no effect of wavelength on the number of preadult molts but red populations took significantly longer to release the first brood. Wavelengths did not affect the number of broods per adult but blue wavelength significantly increased the number of young per brood and per adult. Wavelength did not affect the number of undeveloped young, nonviable eggs or abortion rate. Reproduction curves under vioîlet and green wavelength do not decline after an initial peak. Animals raised under only a portion of the visible spectrum, and specifically green wavelenghts, had an increased mortality. The effects of wavelengths are probably independent of light intensity.

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

  • Anderson, B. G. - 1932 - The number of pre-adult instars, growth, relative growth, and variation in Daphnia magna. Biol. Bull. 68: 81–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, B. G. & Jenkins, J. C. - 1942 - A time study of events in the life span of Daphnia magna. Biol. Bull. 83: 260–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, B. G., Lumer, H. & Zupanic, L. J. Jr. - 1937 - Growth and variability in Daphnia pulex. Biol. Bull. 73: 444–463.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armitage, K. B. - 1961 - Species composition and seasonal distribution of limnetic crustacean zooplankton of Northeastern Kansas. Trans. Kans. Acad. Sci. 64: 27–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bainbridge, R. & Waterman, T. H. - 1958 - Turbidity and the polarized light orientation of the crustacean 1 Mysidium. J. Exp. Biol. 35: 487–493.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baylor, E. R. & Smith, F. E. - 1957 - Diurnal migration of plankton crustaceans. p. 21–35. In B. T. Scheer (ed.). Recent Advances in Invertebrate Physiology. Univ. Oregan Publication.

  • Bliss, D. E. - 1954a - Light inhibition of regeneration and growth in the crab, Gecarcinus lateralis. Anat. Rec. 120: 742–743 (Abstr.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, D. E. - 1954b - Inhibition of regeneration and growth in Gecarcinus lateralis by prolonged exposure to constant darkness. Anat. Rec. 120: 799 (Abstr.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, J. L. - 1946 - Cyclomorphosis in Daphnia. I. An analysis of D. retrocurva and D. galeata. Ecol. Monogr. 16: 409–448.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, J. L. - 1957 - The systematics of North American Daphnia. Mem. Conn. Acad. Arts and Sci. 13: 1–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, J. L. - 1959 - Cladocera. p. 587–656. In W. T. Edmundson. Fresh-Water Biology. J. Wiley and Sons, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buikema, A. L., Jr. - 1968 - Effects of varying wavelengths, intensities and polarized light on population dynamics and ephippial production of Daphnia pulex Leydig, 1860, emend. Richard, 1896 (Cladocera). Crustaceana 14: 46–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buikema, A. L. Jr., - 1972 - Oxygen consumption of the cladoceran, Daphnia pulex, as a function of body size, 1 light and light acclimation. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 42A: 877–888.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buikema, A. L. Jr. - 1973 - Filtering rate of the cladoceran, Daphnia pulex, as a function of body size, light and acclimation. Hydrobiologia 41.

  • Clarke, G. L. - 1930 - Change of phototropic and geotropic signs in Daphnia induced by changes in light intensity. J. Exp. Biol. 7: 109–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, G. L. - 1932 - Quantitative aspects of the change of phototropic sign in Daphnia. J. Exp. Biol. 9: 180–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davenport, C. B. - 1899 - Experimental Morphology. Vol. II. Macmillian Co., New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • deKeerherne, J. B. - 1927 - La descendance d'une Daphnie (Daphnia magna) ou ses millions de germes en une saison. Ann. Biol. Lacust. 15: 61–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dice, L. R. - 1914 - The factors determining the vertical migration movements of Daphnia. J. Anim. Behav. 4: 229–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunham, H. H. - 1938 - Abundant feeding followed by restricted feeding and longevity in Daphnia. Physiol. Zool. 11: 399–407.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edlen, A. - 1943 - Wachstum und milieu bei Daphnia magna. 1–125. Lund.

  • Edmundson, W. T. - 1955 - The seasonal life history of Daphnia in an Artic Lake. Ecology 36: 439–455.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox, H. N., Gilchrist, B. M. & Phear, E. A. - 1951 - Functions of haemoglobin in Daphnia. Proc. Roy. Soc. (London). B. 138: 514–528.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox, H. M., Hardcastle, S. M. & Dresel, E. I. B. - 1949 - Fluctuations in haemoglobin content of Daphnia. Proc. Roy. Soc. (London). B. 136: 388–399.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frank, P. W. - 1952 - A laboratory study of intraspecies and interspecies competition in Daphnia pulicaria (Forbes) and Simocephalus vetulus (O. F. Muller). Physiol. Zool. 25: 178–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, J. - 1954 - Size and reproduction in Daphnia magna (Crustacea: Cladocera). Proc. Zool. Soc. (London) 24: 535–545.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, J. - 1956 - Growth, size and reproduction in Daphnia (Crustacea: Cladocera). Zool. Soc. (London), Proc. 126: 173–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, J. - 1957 - Carotenoids in Daphnia. Roy. Soc. (London), Proc., B. 147: 392–401.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall, D. J. - 1964 - An experimental approach to the dynamics of a natural population of Daphnia galeata mendotae. Ecology 45: 94–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, J. E. & Wolfe, V. K. - 1955 - A laboratory study of vertical migration. Proc. Roy. Soc. (London) Ser. B. 144: 329–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, J. M. - 1930 - The action of light on Calanus finmarchicus (Gunner) as determined by its effect on the heart rate. Contrib. Can. Biol. Fish. 5: 85–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazelwood, D. H. - 1966 - Illumination and turbulence effects on relative growth in Daphnia. Limnol. Oceanogr. 11: 212–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazelwood, D. H. & Parker, R. A. - 1961 - Population dynamics of some freshwater zooplankton. Ecology 42: 266–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazelwood, D. H. & Parker, R. A. - 1963 - Population dynamics of some freshwater zooplankton. II. The effect of lag. Ecology 44: 207–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hazen, W. E. & Baylor, E. R. - 1962 - Behavior of Daphnia in polarized light. Biol. Bull. 123: 243–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heberday, R. F. - 1948 - Das Unterscheidungsvermogen von Daphnia für Helligkeiten farbigen Lichtes. Z. vergl. Physiol. 31: 89–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huntsman, A. G. - 1924 - Limiting factors for marine animals. I. The lethal effect of sunlight. Contr. Can. Biol. N. S. 2: 83–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ingle, L., Wood, T. R. & Banta, A. M. - 1937 - A study of longevity, growth, reproduction and heart rate in Daphnia longispina as influenced by limitations in quantity of food. J. Exp. Zool. 76: 325–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, J. - 1962 - Light and turbulence as co-determinants of relative growth rates in cyclomorphic Daphnia. Intern. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol. 47: 146–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klugh, A. B. - 1927 - The ecology, food relations and culture of freshwater entomostraca. Roy. Can. Inst., Trans. 16: 15–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klugh, A. B. - 1929 - The effect of the ultra-violet component of sunlight on certain marine organisms. Can. J. Res. 1: 100–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klugh, A. B. - 1930 - The effect of the ultra-violet component of sunlight on certain aquatic organisms. Can. J. Res. 3: 104–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kryutchkova, N. M. & Sladecek, V. - 1969 - Quantitative relations of the feeding and growth of Daphnia pulex obtusa (Kurz) Scourfield. Hydrobiologia 33: 47–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langhans, V. H. - 1909 - Über experimentelle Untersuchungen zu Fragen der Fortpflanzungen, Variation and Vererbung bei Daphnien. Verh. Dent. Zool. Ges. Graz. 1901: 281–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lefèvre, M. - 1942 - L'utilisation des algues d'eau douce par les Cladoceres. Bull. Biol. Fr. Belg. 76: 250–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacArthur, J. W. & Baillie, W. H. T. - 1929 - Metabolic activity and duration of life. I. Influence of temperature on longevity in Daphnia magna. J. Exp. Zool. 53: 221–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, S. M. & Orr, A. P. - 1952 - On the biology of Calanus finmarchicus. VII. Factors affecting egg production. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U. K. 30: 527–548.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLaren, I. A. - 1963 - Effects of temperature on growth of zooplankton and the adaptive value of vertical migration. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. 20: 685–727

    Google Scholar 

  • McNaught, D. C. - 1965 - A study of some ecological relationships and the role of vision in the diel migrations of Daphnia. Ph. D. Thesis, University of Wisconsin.

  • Milne, L. J. & Milne, M. - 1959 - Photosensitivity in invertebrates. p. 621–646. In H. W. Magoun (ed.). Handbook of Physiology, Sect. I., Vol. I. Neurophysiology. William and Wilkens Co., Baltimore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagano, T. - 1955 - The behavior of Crustacea exposed to colored light. Bull. Mar. Biol. Sta. Asamushi 7: 44–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, R. A. - 1959 - Simocephalus reproduction and illumination. Ecology 40: 514.

    Google Scholar 

  • Passano, L. M. - 1960 - Molting and its control. p. 473–536. In T. H. Waterman (ed.). Physiology of Crustacea. Vol. I. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratt, D. M. - 1943 - Analysis of population development in Daphnia at different temperatures. Biol. Bull. 85: 116–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prophet, C. W., Andrews, T. F. & Goulden, C. E. - 1959 - Annotated checklist of the Cladocera and Copepoda of Lyon County, Kansas. The Southwest Natur. 4: 185–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richman, S. - 1958 - The transformation of energy by Daphnia pulex. Ecol. Monogr. 28: 273–291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringelberg, J. - 1963 - The behaviour of Daphnia in diffuse light. Naturwissenschaften 50: 313–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringelberg, J. - 1964 - The positively phototactic reaction of Daphnia magna Straus. Neth. J. Sea Res. 2: 319–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryther, J. H. - 1954 - Inhibitory effects of phytoplankton upon feeding of Daphnia magna with reference to growth, reproduction and survival. Ecology 35: 522–533.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schulz, H. - 1928 - Über die Bedeutung des Lichtes im Leben niederer Krebse. Z. vergl. Physiol. 7: 488–552.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slobodkin, L. B. - 1954 - Population dynamics in Daphnia obtusa Kurz. Ecol. Monogr. 24: 69–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slobodkin, L. B. & Richman, S. - 1956 - The effect of removal of fixed percentages of the newborn on size and variability of Daphnia pulicaria (Forbes). Limnol. Oceanogr. 1: 209–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steele, R. G. D. & Torrie, J. H. - 1960 - Principles and procedures of Statistics. 481 p. McGraw-Hill 1119 Book Co., Inc. New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephens, G. C. - 1955 - Induction of molting in the crayfish, Cambarus, by modification of daily photoperiod. Biol. Bull. 108: 235–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tash, J. C. & Armitage, K. B. - 1960 - A seasonal survey of the vertical movements of some zooplankton in Leavenworth County State Lake, Kansas. Kans. Sci. Bull. 41: 657–690.

    Google Scholar 

  • Templeman, W. - 1936 - The influence of temperature, salinity, light and food conditions on the survival and growth of the larvae of the lobster (Homarus americanus). J. Biol. Bd. Can. 2: 485–497.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warren, E. - 1900 - On the reaction of Daphnia magna (Straus) to certain changes in the environment. Quart. J. Microscop. Soc. 43: 199–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waterman, T. H. - 1960 - Interaction of polarized light and turbidity in the orientation of Daphnia and Mysidium. Z. vergl. Physiol. 43: 149–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, A. S. & St. John, P. A. - 1960 - The spectral sensitivity of Daphnia magna and its variance with age. Anat. Rec. 137: 400 (Abstr.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Winer, B. J. - 1962 - Statistical Principles in Experimental Design. McGrawHill Book Co., New York. 672 p.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Arthur J. Buikema Jr.

    Present address: Dept. of Biology and Center for Environmental Studies, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 24061, Blacksburg, Virginia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Zoology, University of Kansas, 66044, Lawrence, Ks.

    Arthur J. Buikema Jr.

Authors
  1. Arthur J. Buikema Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This paper is part of a Ph.D. Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Kansas.

Supported in part by a NSF Summer Traineeship and Grant # 1175 from the University of Kansas Computation Center.

Supported in part by a NSF Summer Traineeship and Grant # 1175 from the University of Kansas Computation Center.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Buikema, A.J. Some Effects of Light on the Growth, Molting, Reproduction and Survival of the Cladoceran, Daphnia pulex . Hydrobiologia 41, 391–418 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00016626

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00016626

Keywords

Search

Navigation