Euchlanis Dilatata Research Articles

Biofilm formation initiating rotifer-specific biopolymer and its predicted components

The rotifer-specific biopolymer, namely Rotimer, is a recently discovered group of the biomolecule family. Rotimer has an active role in the biofilm formation initiated by rotifers (e.g., Euchlanis dilatata or Adineta vaga) or in the female-male sexual interaction of monogononts. To understand the Ca2+- and polarity-dependent formation of this multifunctional viscoelastic material, it is essential to explore its molecular composition. The investigation of the rotifer-enhanced biofilm and Rotimer-inductor conglomerate (RIC) formation yielded several protein candidates to predict the Rotimer-specific main components. The exudate of E. dilatata males was primarily applied from different biopolimer-containing samples (biofilm or RIC). The advantage of males over females lies in their degenerated digestive system and simple anatomy. Thus, their exudate is less contaminated with food and endosymbiont elements. The sequenced and annotated genome and transcriptome of this species opened the way for identifying Rotimer proteins by mass spectrometry. The predicted rotifer-biopolymer forming components are SCO-spondins and 14–3-3 protein. The characteristics of Rotimer are similar to Reissner's fiber, which is found in the central nervous system of vertebrates and is mainly formed from SCO-spondins. This molecular information serves as a starting point for its interdisciplinary investigation and application in biotechnology, biomedicine, or neurodegeneration-related drug development.

Integral Study of Paramecium caudatum Acute and Chronic Toxicity, Sites of Entry and Distribution, Bioconcentration and Body Burdens of Five Metals.

An integral analysis of the acute and chronic toxicity, bioaccumulation, sites of entry, and distribution of four trace metals: copper, iron, lead, and nickel, and the non-trace metal mercury were performed in the ciliate Paramecium caudatum. Mercury was the fastest metal accumulated, and the most toxic. The sensitivity of Paramecium caudatum to the five metals tested (Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, and Zn) falls in the range of other ciliate species. We observed similarities between the toxicity of the five metals to the ciliate P. caudatum with the rotifer Euchlanis dilatata: (a) Mercury was the most toxic metal in terms of acute and body burdens. (b) Acute values were very similar in both species, Hg as the most toxic and Fe as the less toxic, (c) the vacuole/ingestion chronic tests were more sensitive than growth inhibition chronic tests. These analyses would ideally help generate safer guidelines for protecting aquatic biota.

Particle-dependent reproduction and exogenic biopolymer secretion of protozoa co-cultured rotifers

The rotifer-specific exogenic biopolymer, named Rotimer and its related molecular processes are affected by physical and chemical factors (e.g., temperature, pH or metal ions); however, the study of biological influences (e.g., the presence protozoa) concerning the particle-dependent reproduction (egg laying) and ‘biopolymer producing capacity’ (BPC) of rotifers is the objective of the present work. Non-planktonic rotifer species (Philodina acuticornis, Adineta vaga, Euchlanis dilatata, and Lecane bulla) were studied in paired micrometazoa-protozoa co-cultures involving Paramecium, Diplonema, and Amoeba. These protozoa can be beneficial food sources, enhancing reproduction, or even toxic factors for the above-mentioned animals, but can also function as particle-like mechanical stimulators. Furthermore, current studies reveal that bdelloids, similarly to monogonants, produce filamentous exudate; moreover, the body of bdelloids is covered by their exudate, unlike that of monogonants, especially in the case of A. vaga. A mathematical formula was developed as an improved version of a previously published viability marker to characterize the BPC and the relative amount of produced exudate in different conditions.Rotifer species secreting biopolymers appear to be a general trait indicating a common evolutionary background (e.g., calcium- and particle dependency) of such molecules; therefore, the BPC becomes an experiential sublethal influencing marker to these micrometazoans.

Assessment of adaptive strategies on life history of the rotifer Euchlanis dilatata (ROTIFERA) at different temperature and food regime

Abstract The combined effects of two temperatures (20° and 25°C) and food densities (1 × 104 and 1 × 106 cells/mL) of three microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris, Nannochloropsis oculata and Scenedesmus obliquus on the life history of Euchlanis dilatata were evaluated. Our work integrated: effects of temperature on the activation energy (Ea), and evaluation of the rate of decrease or increase through the temperature coefficient (Q10) in the different biological processes of the life table of E. dilatata, including, morphometric values and hatching egg percentages. The best conditions to reach the highest instantaneous growth rate (r) in E. dilatata were 25°C fed with N. oculata (1 × 106 cells/mL) while the lowest r value was registered with C. vulgaris with both temperatures. In the mean generation time and age at first reproduction, the Ea was higher at 20°C, where Q10 values < 1 indicate that these rates decrease with increasing the temperature. We found an exception to the temperature-size rule when rotifer was fed C. vulgaris at 25°C. Moreover, the rotifer fed with S. obliquus reached the maximum size. Our hypothesis is that when temperature increase 5°C, the rotifer may shorten its embryonic development, thereby increasing r and net reproduction rate.

The interacting rotifer-biopolymers are anti- and disaggregating agents for human-type beta-amyloid in vitro

Neurodegeneration-related human-type beta-amyloid 1-42 aggregates (H-Aβ) are one of the biochemical markers and executive molecules in Alzheimer's disease. The exogenic rotifer-specific biopolymer, namely Rotimer, has a protective effect against H-Aβ toxicity on Euchlanis dilatata and Lecane bulla monogonant rotifers. Due to the external particle-dependent secreting activity of these animals, this natural exudate exists in a bound form on the surface of epoxy-metal beads, named as Rotimer Inductor Conglomerate (RIC). In this current work the experiential in vitro molecular interactions between Rotimer and Aβs are presented. The RIC form was uniformly used against H-Aβ aggregation processes in stagogram- and fluorescent-based experiments. These well-known cell-toxic aggregates stably and quickly (only taking a few minutes) bind to RIC. The epoxy beads (as carriers) alone or the scrambled version of H-Aβ (with random amino acid sequence) were the ineffective and inactive negative controls of this experimental system. The RIC has significant interacting, anti-aggregating and disaggregating effects on H-Aβ. To detect these experiments, Bis-ANS and Thioflavin T were applied during amyloid binding, two aggregation-specific functional fluorescent dyes with different molecular characteristics. This newly described empirical interaction of Rotimer with H-Aβ is a potential starting point and source of innovation concerning targeted human- and pharmaceutical applications.

Exogenic production of bioactive filamentous biopolymer by monogonant rotifers

The chemical ecology of rotifers has been little studied. A yet unknown property is presented within some monogonant rotifers, namely the ability to produce an exogenic filamentous biopolymer, named ‘Rotimer’. This rotifer-specific viscoelastic fiber was observed in six different freshwater monogonants (Euchlanis dilatata, Lecane bulla, Lepadella patella, Itura aurita, Colurella adriatica and Trichocerca iernis) in exception of four species. Induction of Rotimer secretion can only be achieved by mechanically irritating rotifer ciliate with administering different types (yeast cell skeleton, denatured BSA, epoxy, Carmine or urea crystals and micro-cellulose) and sizes (approx. from 2.5 to 50 µm diameter) of inert particles, as inductors or visualization by adhering particles. The thickness of this Rotimer is 33 ± 3 nm, detected by scanning electron microscope. This material has two structural formations (fiber or gluelike) in nano dimension. The existence of the novel adherent natural product becomes visible by forming a ‘Rotimer-Inductor Conglomerate’ (RIC) web structure within a few minutes. The RIC-producing capacity of animals, depends on viability, is significantly modified according to physiological- (depletion), drug- (toxin or stimulator) and environmental (temperature, salt content and pH) effects. The E. dilatata-produced RIC is affected by protein disruptors but is resistant to several chemical influences and its Rotimer component has an overwhelming cell (algae, yeast and human neuroblastoma) motility inhibitory effect, associated with low toxicity. This biopolymer-secretion-capacity is protective of rotifers against human-type beta-amyloid aggregates.

Evaluation of bioconcentration and toxicity of five metals in the freshwater rotifer Euchlanis dilatata Ehrenberg, 1832

Metals are widely used in modern society harming the environment; their toxicity cause environmental adverse effects to many organisms including zooplankton. This contribution employed: (a) acute and chronic toxicity tests, (b) epifluorescence image analysis, and (c) atomic absorption techniques, to analyze toxicity of four trace (copper, iron, nickel, and zinc), and one non-trace metals (mercury) on the freshwater rotifer Euchlanis dilatata. This work integrated results of Bioconcentration Factors (BCF's), sites of entry and accumulation and to determine mechanisms of uptake and toxicity of these five metals of the freshwater rotifer Euchlanis dilatata. This integral analysis enhanced our understanding of knowledge on: (a) the toxicity mechanisms, (b) sites of metal entry and concentration inside the rotifer, (c) bioconcentration and body burdens. As expected, Hg the non-trace metal used here, was the most toxic. Our results suggest that the toxicity is ameliorated in the rotifer by selecting feeding avoiding the most toxic particles and reducing adverse effects on reproduction, until mortality per se reduces reproduction. The chronic effect on ingestion rate was quite sensitive for all metals whereas reproduction was slightly affected. The combination of acute and chronic tests and determination of BCF's for each metal allowed calculation of the acute and chronic body burdens. Body burdens again confirmed that mercury was the most toxic metal of the five employed here.

INVERTEBRATE COMMUNITIES IN HYDROGEN SULFIDE SPRINGS IN THE HIGH NORTH (USA RIVER CATCHMENT, RUSSIA)

In late July 2018, we studied the chemical composition of the water and benthic communities in two hydrogen sulfide springs in the catchment of the Iska-Shor Creek (lefthand tributary of the Usa River), as well as zoobenthos and plankton in the Usa River around the creek’s mouth. Compared to the reference site, water in the springs contained manyfold higher concentrations of chlorine, sodium, calcium, sulfate ions, and differed in the content of organic matter, heavy metals, and several micro elements. Water temperature did not exceed +6 °С. Zoobenthos abundance and biomass was low, comprising 31 taxa of invertebrates. Chironomid larvae and harpacticoids prevailed. Chironomids were the most diverse group in the creek – 20 taxa, of which 17 were found directly in the springs. Tanytarsus verralli Goetghebuer, 1928 was the most numerous species. Apart from chironomids, we found nematodes, ostracods, cladocerans, first instar larvae of mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies, and others Dipteran families. The diversity of planktic and benthic invertebrates, and the set of dominant species showed little variation among the sites surveyed in the Usa River. The dominants in terms of abundance in the river’s benthic fauna were chironomid species from the subfamily Chironomini: Tanytarsus verralli, Cladotanytarsus (Cladotanytarsus) mancus (Walker, 1856), and Polypedilum (Pentapedilum) exsectum (Kieffer 1916). The share of roundworms decreased and the share of cyclops and water mites increased in the zoobenthos of the river downstream from the mouth of the creek. Among zooplankton dominants, the abundance of Euchlanis dilatata Ehrenberg, 1832 decreased and the share of Cladocera from the genus Bosmina increased downstream the river. Inside the area directly affected by the mineral water springs, we found a high abundance of euplanktic rotifers Asplanchna priodonta Gosse, 1850 and copepods Mesocyclops leuckarti (Claus, 1857), as well as an increased abundance of juvenile Cyclopoida. The studies have expanded our knowledge of the adaptive capabilities of invertebrates, and the ecology of aquatic communities forming in this extreme environment.

Monogonot rotifers species of the island Cozumel, Quintana Roo, México.

The current study adds 23 new records to the previously described monogonot rotifers of Cozumel, increasing the number of reported species to 40; these species are grouped into two orders, 11 families and 18 genera. Littoral and limnetic samples from 17 aquatic systems were examined, including wet dolines, coastal lagoons, temporary pools and artificial systems (reservoirs). Of the 36 species found, the following organisms represent new findings for Cozumel: Anuraeopsis fissa, Brachionus angularis, B. rubens, B. plicatilis sensu lato, Beuchampiella eudactylota, Euchlanis dilatata, Mytilina bisulcata, Colurella adriatica, Lepadella ovalis, L. rhomboides, Squatinella mutica, Lecane aculeata, L. climacois, L. crepida, L. cornuta, L. grandis, L. obtusa, L. pyriformis, Cephalodella forficula, Scaridium bostjani, Trichocerca pusilla, Polyarthra cf. dolichoptera, P. vulgaris, Dicranophorus epicharis and Testudinella patina. Additional information is reported for these species.

Reproductive isolation, morphological and ecological differentiation among cryptic species of Euchlanis dilatata, with the description of four new species

Morphological approaches may not provide sufficient resolution for species delineation. Thus, we used an integrated approach that included molecular and ecological characters as well as morphological features to gain a better estimate of species diversity and to improve our understanding of the speciation process within rotifers. Previously, seven putative cryptic species were found within Euchlanis dilatata complex based on a nuclear marker. Here, we investigated reproductive isolation, variation in trophi morphology, and life history characteristics among representatives of some of these species. Mating success between each cryptic species was 0–1.1%; lower than that of positive controls (intra-clonal: 15.6–43.9%). SEM trophi images representing individuals from all seven lineages were used for morphometric analyses. Using Discriminant Analysis, 64% of individuals were correctly assigned to cryptic species. Five clonal lineages, each representing a putative species, were used in life table experiments with varying temperature and conductivity. Age-specific fecundity increased under high temperature and life expectancy decreased under high temperature and high conductivity. There was variation among cryptic species in some life table characteristics, such as life expectancy and generation time. Applying an integrative taxonomy approach, we examined the boundaries between E. dilatata cryptic species and described four of them as new species.

Effects of Temperature on Life History Strategy of the Rotifer Euchlanis dilatata.

The cosmopolitan littoral rotifer Euchlanis dilatata is a potential model species in eco-toxicological and ecological studies, owing to its unique characteristics, such as periphytic benthic living, sensitivity to toxicity, and laying eggs on substrates instead of carrying them on the mother's body. However, studies about the life history strategy of this species, in contrast to the intensely studied planktonic Brachionus species, are relatively scarce. Temperature is an important factor that affects the rotifer's life history traits, and is well known to induce phenotypic plasticity in planktonic rotifers. The present study measured life table parameters of the rotifer E. dilatata originating from one clonal population local to Beijing under three temperature treatments: 14°C, 20°C and 26°C (10 females/replicate × 4 replicates for each treatment). We also examined trade-offs between egg size and egg number, as well as current reproduction and future survival to evaluate the life history strategy of the rotifer. In contrast to cold conditions, in which mothers produced a few large eggs with similar egg sizes, in warm environments, mothers produced many smaller eggs and a few larger eggs, thus resulting in a clear variation in egg sizes. With increasing temperature, the pre-mature period, reproductive period, life span and generation time shortened, while the net reproductive rate and population growth rate increased. Temperature also affected the trade-off between current reproduction and future survival. This work provides basic data for the potential model species E. dilatata.

Kiğı Baraj Gölü (Bingöl-Türkiye)'nün Zooplankton Faunası Üzerine Taksonomik Bir Çalişma

The present study was conducted to determine zooplankton fauna of Kiğı Dam Lake during September 2012 and August 2013 seasonally. The zooplankton samples were collected by using plankton net with the mesh size of 55µm horizontally and preserved in 4% formaldehyde. Total 22 taxa (16 Rotifera, 4 Cladocera, and 2 Copepoda) were identified in Kiğı Dam Lake. Ascomorpha saltans, Asplanchna priodonta, Brachionus angularis, Cephalodella gibba, Euchlanis dilatata, Kellicottia longispina, Keratella cochlearis, Keratella quadrata, Lecane luna, Lecane lunaris, Notholca squamula, Polyarthra dolichoptera, Rotaria rotatoria, Synchaeta pectinata, Synchaeta oblonga, Trichocerca capucina from Rotifera species; Bosmina longirostris, Chydorus sphaericus, Daphnia cucullata, Daphnia longispina from Cladocera species; Acanthodiaptomus denticornis, Cyclops vicinus from Copepoda species are new records for this dam lake. Zooplankton samples were consisted of 72.7% Rotifera, 18.2% Cladocera, and 9.1% Copepoda.

Effects of predation by Hydra (Cnidaria) on cladocerans (Crustacea: Cladocera)

Planktonic cladocerans have evolved different strategies to avoid predation from vertebrates; these include changes in morphology, behavior, physiology, and/or life-history traits. However, littoral cladocerans are better adapted to avoid invertebrate predation particularly from insect larvae by evolving morphological and physiological adaptations. Nevertheless, this has not been proven for some littoral predators such as <em>Hydra</em>. In this study, we provide quantitative data on how <em>Hydra</em> affects its zooplankton prey. We studied the predation behavior on <em>Alona glabra</em>, <em>Ceridodaphnia dubia</em>, <em>Daphnia pulex, Daphnia </em>cf. <em>mendotae, Diaphanosoma birgei, Macrothrix triserialis, Moina macrocopa, Pleuroxus aduncus, Scapholeberis kingi, Simocephalus vetulus, Elaphoidella grandidieri, Brachionus rubens </em>and <em>Euchlanis dilatata</em>. We also tested the indirect effect of allelochemicals from <em>Hydra</em> on the demography of <em>Daphnia </em>cf. <em>mendotae.</em> Littoral cladocerans are specially adapted to resist nematocyst injection and discharge of toxic substances from <em>Hydra</em>. A significant decrease in the population growth rate from 0.21 to 0.125 d<sup>-1</sup> was observed at densities of 2 ind. ml<sup>-1</sup>. The role of carapace thickness as an adaptive strategy of littoral cladocerans against <em>Hydra</em> predation is discussed.

Demography and feeding behavior of Stenostomum leucops (Dugés, 1828)

<p>Freshwater turbellarians, despite their mainly benthic habits, interact with pelagic communities of rotifers and cladocerans. However, very little is known about their demographic characteristics, food preference and functional response. To fill that gap we studied one of the most widely spread species, <em>Stenostomum leucops</em>. We conducted population growth experiments using abundant food (several rotifer and cladocerans species). To evaluate possible impact of <em>S. leucops</em> on planktonic communities, we conducted prey preference experiments at two temperatures: 18 and 23°C. The number of rotifers and cladocerans consumed was calculated by the difference between the initial and final density. We found that diets supplemented with fresh algae achieved higher <em>S. leucops</em> densities than those with detritus supplements in their diets. In the case of animal diets, <em>Euchlanis dilatata</em> allowed <em>S. leucops</em> reach higher densities than the other zooplankton species; <em>E. dilatata</em> was positively selected for in the selectivity study at both 18 and 23°C. <em>Stenostomum leucops</em> showed a type II functional response on rotifers and the cladoceran <em>Alona glabra</em>. Our results suggest that <em>S. leucops</em> select their prey according to their vulnerability using different mechanisms, which optimize their food intake.</p>

Palm house — biodiversity hotspot or risk of invasion? Aquatic invertebrates: The special case of Monogononta (Rotifera) under greenhouse conditions

AbstractGreenhouses form favourable conditions for establishing stable populations of native as well as invasive alien microinvertebrates. Investigations of palm houses have a long tradition and native, alien and new species for science have been found in many of them. The examined pond and some microreservoirs in Bromeliaceae and Agavoideae in Pozna´n Palm House (Poland) sampled in 2012, appeared to contain representatives of Rotifera (64 species), Copepoda (2 species), Polychaeta, Acari and Insecta larvae. The most abundant Rotifera species were: Anuraeopsis fissa Gosse, 1851, Ascomorpha ecaudis Perty 1850, Euchlanis dilatata Ehrenberg, 1832, Pompholyx sulcata Hudson, 1885 and Trichocerca rousseleti Voight, 1902. Moreover, rotifers considered to be rare in Poland, i.e., Asplanchna herricki De Guerne, 1888, Collotheca pelagica Rousselet, 1893, Colurella sulcata Stenroos, 1898, Gastropus minor Rousselet, 1892 were also detected in Pozna´n Palm House. Two recorded Copepoda species were Phyllognathopus viguieri (Maupas, 1892) found in agave microreservoirs and Mesocyclops leuckarti (Claus, 1857) found in reservoir with aquatic plants. For biodiversity evaluation of rotifers Margalef’s and Shannon-Wiener’s indexes were used and in order to determine species richness the Simpson index was calculated. Additionally, a complete list of all aquatic invertebrates is presented, i.e., Plathelmintes (11 species), Nemeretea (2 species), Oligochatea (13 taxa), Polychaeta (7 species), Gastrotricha (13 taxa) and Copepoda (1 species) previously recorded in Pozna´n Palm House. To sum up, Palm houses create a convenient habitat for a prevalence of native and introduced invertebrates and are a putative source of alien species, possibly facilitating their release to the environment.

Effects of Microalgae and Alfalfa Meal on Population Growth and Production of a Freshwater Rotifer, Euchlanis dilatata (Rotifera: Mongononta)

AbstractPopulation growth and production of the freshwater rotifer, Euchlanis dilatata, were determined after being fed 1 of 12 diets: Scenedesmus quadricauda (S), Chlorella vulgaris (C), baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (Y), alfalfa meal (Medicago spp.) (A), and eight combinations of S+C, S+Y, C+Y, S+C+Y, S+A, C+A, S+C+A, and Y+A (mixture in the same ratio by equal nitrogen weight). Results showed that both microalgal and alfalfa meal alone and in combination with Y had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) population growth and production compared with Y alone. The mean maximum E. dilatata population density fed on S, S+Y, C, C+Y, S+C, S+C+Y, Y, A, S+A, C+A, S+C+A, and Y+A diets were 65 ± 7.5 (mean ± SE), 124.6 ± 17.2, 115.8 ± 7.9, 41.5 ± 7.9, 131 ± 14.1, 93.5 ± 8.7, 14.5 ± 7.6, 129.5 ± 18.5, 255.0 ± 20.5, 180 ± 30.5, 124.5 ± 25.4, and 61.5 ± 24.5 individuals/mL, respectively. Correspondingly, the mean population growth rates (K) through the 16‐d culture period were 0.29, 0.40, 0.45, 0.27, 0.34, 0.41, 0.26, 0.51, 0.58, 0.59, 0.39, and 0.45/d, respectively. Results indicated that alfalfa meal in combination with microalgae and yeast could be used as primary diets for E. dilatata culture. This may reduce the costs of rotifer production.

Interactions between the rotifer Euchlanis dilatata and the cladocerans Alona glabra and Macrothrix triserialis in relation to diet type

We studied, separately, the effect of the cladocerans Alona glabra and Macrothrix triserialis on the population growth of the rotifer Euchlanis dilatata using three different food types ( Chlorella and Scenedesmus , live or dead, offered on a comparable dry weight basis, 3.16 μg C ml −1 ). Regardless of the presence or absence of competition, E. dilatata cultured using Chlorella (live or dead) showed a higher population growth as compared to Scenedesmus . Compared to heat-killed C. vulgaris , E. dilatata cultured alone and fed on live algae reached higher abundances. Both cladoceran species had an adverse effect on the population growth of Euchlanis , but did not eliminate the rotifers. Of the two cladocerans, M. triserialis had a far more adverse effect on the population densities of E. dilatata as compared to A. glabra . E. dilatata also influenced the population growth of A. glabra and M. triserialis , the former being more adversely affected than the latter. When the egg ratios of E. dilatata were plotted as a function of population density, a significantly inverse relation was obtained only in treatments containing Chlorella but not for other treatments. Statistically the rate of population increase ( r ) per day of E. dilatata was adversely affected by the diet type and the presence of competing species. The interaction of diet type X competition was also significant. For A. glabra , the presence of E. dilatata and the diet type, but not their interaction, significantly influenced the r . On the other hand for M. triserialis , only the diet type was significant. Our results suggest that the competitive outcome between rotifers and cladocerans was dependent on diet type.

Toxicity of Cadmium, Lead, Mercury and Methyl Parathion on Euchlanis dilatata Ehrenberg 1832 (Rotifera: Monogononta)

Acute toxicity tests with Cd, Pb, Hg, and methyl parathion were developed to compare the sensitivity of the rotifer Euchlanis dilatata with other model organisms used in aquatic ecotoxicology. Cd was the most toxic chemical (LC50=14.8μgL(-1)), while methyl parathion was the least toxic (LC50=864.2μgL(-1)). E. dilatata was more sensitive that other rotifer species, particularly of the genera Brachionus and Lecane. However, E. dilatata was less sensitive to mercury and methyl parathion than the crustacean, Daphnia magna. The high sensitivity of E. dilatata suggests that it may be an adequate benthic model to use in toxicity assessments of metal-contaminated sediments.

Inhibition of two enzyme systems in Euchlanis dilatata (Rotifera: Monogononta) as biomarker of effect of metals and pesticides

The inhibitory effects on esterases and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in the freshwater rotifer Euchlanis dilatata, native to Mexico, were assessed by fluorimetry after in vivo exposure (30 min) in laboratory conditions to sublethal concentrations of metals and pesticides. EC50 values for esterases ranged from 7.9 × 10−7 for DDT to 61.9 μg l−1 for methyl parathion, while corresponding values for PLA2 ranged from 0.96 × 10−6 for mercury to 69.2 μg l−1 for lead. These enzyme systems in E. dilatata are very sensitive to the tested agents and suggest they would be suitable biomarkers. However, sensitivity to other environmental contaminants should be investigated in laboratory conditions and field studies to assess their potential as environmental biomarkers.

Predatory and toxic effects of the turbellarian (Stenostomum cf leucops) on the population dynamics of Euchlanis dilatata, Plationus patulus (Rotifera) and Moina macrocopa (Cladocera)

Catenulid turbellarians, common in shallow, tropical ponds, affect their rotifer prey via the production of toxins. There is, however, no quantitative information on their effect on the demography of their prey. Here, we test the impact of Stenostomum cf leucops on the population dynamics of the rotifers Euchlanis dilatata and Plationus patulus, and the cladoceran Moina macrocopa. Experiments were initiated with rotifers at 0.5 ind. ml−1 and the cladoceran at 0.2 ind. ml−1; growth patterns were compared in the absence and presence of worms (2 Stenostomum ind. per 50 ml). Results revealed that brachionids were most adversely affected: there was a lower growth rate of the rotifers in the presence of worms (P < 0.01, repeated measures ANOVA), although at the densities applied, the predator did not wipe out its prey. These littoral predators may therefore regulate rotifer prey in natural conditions. In Moina, the population evolved differently; initially, we found no difference between control and treatment, but after about 10 days, the population collapsed, irrespective of a direct or indirect contact with the predator. This delayed effect deserves more study, as it could represent flatworm toxin accumulation by the cladoceran.