Effect of temperature in the laboratory studies on growth, egg development and first parturition of five species of Cladocera.

Abstract

Effect of temperature on growth, egg development and age at first parturition of five cladoceran species (Daphnia longispina, Moina micrura, Diaphanosoma brachyurum, Bosmina longirostris and Bosmina fatalis) were investigated in the laboratory. The relationships between egg development time of these species and temperature, and between age at first parturition and temperature, were expressed by an equation (ln D=ln a+b (ln T) 2). M. micrura and Diaphanosoma brachyurum seemed to have adapted to relatively higher temperature, while Daphnia longispina, B. longirostris and B. fatalis showed their adaptation to lower temperature. However, the results did not necessarily agree with the seasonal succession of the appearance of these species in the field.