Effect of culture density and volume on Moina micrura (Kurz, 1874) reproduction, and sex ratio in the progeny

Abstract

Moina micrura is a cosmopolitan, cyclic parthenogenetic, cladoceran with ample morphological and ecological plasticity that inhabits temperate, tropical, and subtropical regions of the world. Sexual reproduction in cladocerans is a phenomenon induced by environmental factors, mainly associated with adverse conditions, including crowding. In this study we have assessed the effects of population density combined with the volume available for individual development, on the number of newborns and on the sex ratio in the progeny. Three parthenogenetic female densities (D1 = 33 ind l−1, D2 = 66 ind l−1, D3 = 100 ind l−1) were assayed in combination with three culture volumes (V1 = 30 ml, V2 = 60 ml, V3 = 120 ml), at 21°C. Once the reproduction began, progeny was isolated daily and counted, identifying female and male neonates. Culture volume was the only factor that had a significant effect on the total progeny, as well as on the number of males in the progeny; the highest sex ratio was recorded in D2V1 (0.58), whereas the lowest was for D1V3 (0.06). Female density had no significant effect on the number of sexual M. micrura. We hypothesize that male production (quantity and frequency) was higher in the lowest tested volume because of a reduction in the space available per individual, but not necessarily associated with the physical interaction related with a high encounter rate in more crowded conditions.