Substrate discrimination by larvae of the sessile rotifer Ptygura beauchampi Edmondson

Abstract

SUMMARY. In an acid bog pond, the sessile rotifer Ptygura beauchampi was limited to the trap door areas of one of three distinct prey capturing organs of the carnivorous hydrophyte Utricularia vulgaris; four other co‐occurring congeneric species (U. gibba, inflata var. minor, intermedia, and purpurea) were not colonized. This pattern was not the result of differential capture of larvae by the prey traps. Laboratory settling experiments demonstrated that P. beauchampi larvae select this particular substrate to the exclusion of all others. This selectivity was independent of the presence of captured prey organisms in the traps. P. beauchampi larvae select younger vestibules (trap door areas) over older ones. Observations of natural populations showed denser colonization of those slightly bigger traps closer to the plant stem. However, no relation was found between vestibular area and adult rotifer density. Selectivity for traps more proximal to the plant system was not demonstrated. In natural populations a distinct distribution of adults within the vestibule was noted. This pattern was statistically different from sites which the larvae colonize in laboratory experiments. Adult distribution is probably a modification of the larval settling pattern by site‐dependent survivorship of adults.Larval settling experiments showed that larvae select uncolonized vestibules over those previously colonized of approximately equal age. Settling outside the vestibule area was highest on traps closest to the plant stem and was related to the density of adults colonizing the vestibule.The adaptive significance of larval selection of a particular substrate is discussed.