Abstract
The embryonic development times of six planktonic freshwater copepods from Austrian waters (Eudiaptomus gracilis, Arctodiaptomus bacillifer, Arctodiaptomus spinosus, Mixodiaptomus kupelwieseri, Cyclops abyssorum, Mesocyclops leuckarti) were determined at constant temperatures ranging from 1.4°C to 27.3°C. In most experiments the hatching success was very high, low survival occurring only when experimental temperatures closely approached lower and upper lethal ranges. Development times usually decreased with increasing temperatures, retardation in development occurring close to the upper lethal range. The non-linear relationship of development time to temperature is most adequately described by Bělehradek's equation, quadratic models using log-transformed data perform almost equally well. Data on embryonic development times of planktonic copepods are summarized and regression equations (Bělehradek's equation) for the relationship between duration of development and temperature are presented. Adaptation to temperature and intra- and interspecific differences and similarities in embryonic development times are discussed in the context of geographical distribution and thermal history of various species and populations. The applicability of general curves relating temperature to duration of development is examined and some of the deficiencies in the data are discussed.
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