Skip to main content
Log in

Feeding responses of Asplanchna brightwelli (rotifera): laboratory and field studies

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Laboratory-reared A. brightwelli were offered 16 different prey rotifer species from the genera Anuraeopsis, Brachionus, Epiphanes, Filinia, Hexarthra, Lecane, Lepadella, Pompholyx, Proalides and Trichocerca. Feeding responses (prey encounter, escape, capture, rejection and ingestion) were recorded. In general, the predator's ingestion time was positively correlated with prey length. B. falcatus and H. intermedia were never captured. Once captured, smaller rotifer species were ingested. Gut contents of field-collected A. brightwelli revealed increased occurrence of prey numbers when concentrated plankton samples were preserved after some delay.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ejsmont-Karabin, J., 1974. Studies on the feeding of planktonic polyphage Asplanchna priodonta Gosse (Rotatoria). Ekol. pol. 26: 311–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garreau, F., C. Rougier & R. Pourriot, 1988. Resource exploitation by the planktonic predator Asplanchna girodi De Guerne 1888 (Rotifera) in a sand pit lake. Arch. Hydrobiol. 112: 91–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, J. J., 1980a. Feeding in the rotifer Asplanchna: Behaviour, cannibalism, selectivity, prey defenses and impact on rotifer communities. In W. C. Kerfoot (ed.), Evolution and Ecology of Zooplankton communities. The University Press of New England, Hanover (N.H.): 158–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, J. J., 1980b. Observations on the susceptibility of some protists and rotifers to predation by Asplanchna girodi. In H. J. Dumont & J. Green (eds), Rotatoria. Developments in Hydrobiology I. Dr W. JUnk Publishers, The Hague: 87–91. Reprinted from Hydrobiologia 73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, J. J. & R. S. Stemberger, 1985. Prey capture in the rotifer Asplanchna girodi. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 22: 2997–3000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guiset, A., 1977. Stomach contents in Asplanchna and Ploesoma. Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih. 8: 126–129.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herzig, A., 1987. The analysis of planktonic rotifer populations A plea for longterm investigations. In L. May, R. Wallace & A. Herzig (eds), Rotifer Symposium IV. Developments in Hydrobiology 42. Dr W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht: 163–180. Reprinted from Hydrobiologia 147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iyer, N., 1989. Biology of the predatory rotifer Asplanchna: A review and some field and laboratory studies. M. Phil. thesis, University of Delhi, Delhi: 99 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koste, W., 1978. Rotatoria. Die Radertiere Mitteleuropas Ein Bestimmungswertk, begrudent von Max Voigt. Uberordung Monogononta, Borntraeger, Berlin, Stuttgart, vol. I Textband 673 pp., vol. II Tafelband 234 pp.

  • Pourriot, R., 1965. Recherches sur l'écologie des Rotiferes. Vie Milieu (Suppl.) 21: 224 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saksena, D. N. & S. P. Sharma, 1985. On the feeding of Asplanchna brightwelli Gosse in a perennial impoundment, Kaila Sagar Tank at Gwalior, India. Comp. Physiol. Ecol. 10: 167–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salt, G. W., 1987. The components of feeding behaviour in rotifers. In L. May, R. Wallace & A. Herzig (eds), Rotifer Symposium IV. Developments in Hydrobiology 42. Dr W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht: 271–281. Reprinted from Hydrobiologia 147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salt, G. W., 1989. Comparisons of the diets and reproductive performances of two sympatric rotifers, Asplanchna girodi and Asplanchna priodonta. Freshwat. Biol. 22: 417–430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarma, S. S. S., 1987. Experimental studies on the ecology of Brachionus patulus (O. F. Muller) (Rotifera) in relation to food, temperature and predation. Ph. D. thesis, University of Delhi, Delhi: 243 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarma, S. S. S., 1991. Global bibliography on Rotifera. (Compilation). Bioinformatics, MK Univ., Madurai, India, vol. I: 485 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sarma, S.S.S. Feeding responses of Asplanchna brightwelli (rotifera): laboratory and field studies. Hydrobiologia 255, 275–282 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00025849

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00025849

Key words

Navigation