Growth Model of Daphnia

Abstract

Data from experiments on feeding, assimilation, and reproduction of Daphnia pulex grown in different cell concentrations of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii formed the basis for an individual growth model for D. pulex. The model predictions of both the somatic growth and reproduction agree with subsequent experimental results. Contrary to many higher organisms, the assimilation efficiency increases with increasing body size. This may be, at least in part, the reason why larger body-sized zooplankton tend to dominate in aquatic ecosystems when not controlled by predators. The uptake rate per body weight as a function of cell concentration can be described by Michaelis–Menten type equations, but not the assimilation rate. Contrast between the feeding and assimilation rates suggest that as the nutrient level increases, a higher proportion of uptake is channeled by Daphnia into the detritus/bacterial compartment.Key words: Daphnia pulex, feeding, energetics, assimilation, growth model, nutrient level