Abstract
Knowledge of reproductive rates and life cycle of the Cladocera species is essential for population dynamic studies, secondary production and food webs, as well as the management and preservation of aquatic ecosystems. The present study aimed to understand the life cycle and growth of Alona iheringula Kotov & Sinev, 2004 (Crustacea, Anomopoda, Chydoridae), a Neotropical species, as well as its DNA barcoding, providing new information on the Aloninae taxonomy. The specimens were collected in the dammed portion of the Cabo Verde River (21°26′05″ S and 46°10′57″ W), in the Furnas Reservoir, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Forty neonates were observed individually two or three times a day under controlled temperature (25±1°C), photoperiod (12 h light/12 h dark) and feeding (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata at a concentration of 105 cells.mL−1 and a mixed suspension of yeast and fish feed in equal proportion). Individual body growth was measured daily under optical microscope using a micrometric grid and 40× magnification. The species had a mean size of 413(±29) µm, a maximum size of 510 µm and reached maturity at 3.24(±0.69) days of age. Mean fecundity was 2 eggs per female per brood and the mean number of eggs produced per female during the entire life cycle was 47.6(±6.3) eggs per female. The embryonic development time was 1.79(±0.23) days and the maximum longevity was 54 days. The species had eight instars throughout its life cycle and four instars between neonate and primipara stage. The present study using molecular data (a 461 bp smaller COI fragment) demonstrated a deep divergence in the Aloninae subfamily.
Highlights
Cladocera are important for energy transference in the food chain in natural ecosystems
River was characterized as a shallow (3–9 m depth) mesotrophic environment (Trophic State Index of 47), with macrophytes (Myriophylum aquaticum, Eichornia azurea, Typha domingensis and Pistia stratiotes)
In Minas Gerais state, it was recorded in the Rio Doce Basin, San Francisco Basin [50,51] and in a dammed portion of the Cabo Verde River/Furnas Reservoir
Summary
Cladocera are important for energy transference in the food chain in natural ecosystems. These organisms are used as a food source for larvae and juvenile fish in aquaculture due to their high nutritional value and short development time [1,2]. 1967 inhabit the littoral region of water bodies and normally lives associated with macrophytes, periphyton or sediment, and are represented by substrate scraper organisms [3,4,5]. The littoral region plays an important role in productivity and nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems. Environments colonized by macrophytes have high environmental heterogeneity because they have a high diversity of ecological niches and species biodiversity [6]
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