Rotifer Populations Research Articles

Feeding habits of omnivorous Asplanchna: comparison of diet composition among Asplanchna herricki, A. priodonta and A. girodi in pond ecosystems

Spatial distribution and the diet composition of Asplanchna species were studied in 18 water bodies in Matsuyama, Japan. The abundance of Asplanchna and other rotifers, crustaceans, phytoplankton and microbial plankton, together with basic environmental parameters, were determined between October and December 2006, and the distribution and diet composition of Asplanchna species were estimated. Three species of Asplanchna, A. herricki, A. priodonta and A. girodi were found in the present study, but A. herricki was rather less abundant than the other two species. Their diet composition was different among the species, showing that A. herricki consumed only particulate matter while the diet of A. priodonta included mainly phytoplankton, dominated by dinoflagellates. In contrast, A. girodi was rather carnivorous, and included other rotifers in its diet. Their different food habits are not explained by their morphotypes and trophi structures, suggesting this difference might be related to their feeding abilities. For A. girodi, prey selectivity (Chesson's α) for rotifer prey was negative, except for Keratella cochlearis. The amount of rotifers consumed was also low at a mean prey number of less than 3 per A. girodi gut. The result suggests that the predation impact of Asplanchna as a top-down controller of rotifer populations is species-specific and can be apparent only when Asplanchna population reaches high density in these ponds. From the present results, three Asplanchna species were found to belong to basically different feeding groups, A. herricki is detritivore while A. priodonta and A. girodi are omnivores; but A. girodi is more predacious.

Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Copper to the Euryhaline Rotifer, Brachionus plicatilis (“L” Strain)

This article presents data from original research, intended for the use in the development of copper (Cu) criteria for the protection of estuarine and marine organisms and their uses in the United States. Two 48-h static-acute toxicity tests-one with and one without added food-and a 96-h static multigeneration life-cycle test (P1-F2 generations) were performed concurrently using the euryhaline rotifer Brachionus plicatilis ("L" strain) to develop a Cu acute-to-chronic ratio (ACR) for this species. Tests were performed at 15 g/L salinity, at 25°C, and the exposure concentrations of dissolved Cu were verified. Supplemental chemical analyses were performed and reported for the development of a Cu-saltwater biotic ligand model (BLM). Supplemental analyses included alkalinity, calcium, chloride, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), hardness, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and temperature. The acute toxicity test measurement end points were the dissolved Cu median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values based on rotifer survival. The chronic measurement end points were the dissolved Cu no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC), lowest-observed-effect concentration (LOEC), EC₂₅, EC₂₀, and EC₁₀ based on the intrinsic rate of rotifer population increase (r). The 48-h LC₅₀(Fed), 48-h LC₅₀(Unfed), 96-h NOEC, 96-h LOEC, EC₂₅, EC₂₀, and EC₁₀ were 20.8, 13.4, 6.1, 10.3, 11.7, 10.9, and 8.8 μg Cu/L, respectively. The ACRs were calculated as ratios of each 48-h LC₅₀ value [fed and unfed) and each of the 96-h chronic values (ChV; geometric mean of NOEC and LOEC)], EC₁₀, EC₂₀, and EC₂₅. The ACRs ranged from 1.15 to 2.63.

Comparative Toxicity ofPrymnesium parvumin Inland Waters1

Brooks, Bryan W., Susan V. James, Theodore W. Valenti, Jr., Fabiola Urena‐Boeck, Carlos Serrano, Jason P. Berninger, Leslie Schwierzke, Laura D. Mydlarz, James P. Grover, and Daniel L. Roelke, 2010. Comparative Toxicity ofPrymnesium parvumin Inland Waters.Journal of the American Water Resources Association(JAWRA) 46(1):45‐62. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2009.00390.xAbstract: Numerous studies have examined the impacts ofPrymnesium parvumto aquatic life, but the majority of information available is from experiments or field studies performed at salinities of marine and coastal ecosystems. Ambient toxicity ofP. parvumhas been characterized within vitroandin vivomodels because reliable quantitation ofP. parvumtoxins in environmental matrices is often precluded by a lack of available analytical standards. Hemolytic activity and fish mortality assays have been used most frequently to characterize toxic conditions; however, relatively fewin vivostudies employed standardized methods. Because the relative sensitivities of different taxa toP. parvumtoxins in inland waters were undefined, we assessed the comparative toxicity ofP. parvumfiltrate from a laboratory study (20°C, 12:12 light:dark cycle, f/8 media, 2.4 psu) to several common standardizedin vitroandin vivomodels. After exposure to cell‐free filtrate hemolytic activity (1 h EC50 = 13,712 cells/ml) and juvenile fish (Pimephales promelas) survival (48 h LC50 = 21,754 cells/ml) were the most sensitive assay responses examined, followed by rotifer (Brachionus calyciflorus) population growth rate [48 h no observable adverse effect levels (NOAEL) = 19,072 cells/ml] and cladoceran (Daphnia magna) reproduction (10‐day NOAEL = 47,680 cells/ml). Green algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata) growth (96 h) was not adversely affected but was instead significantly stimulated byP. parvumtoxins. We further propose an initial species sensitivity distribution approach forP. parvum, which may be used to support future environmental management decisions. Our findings from these laboratory studies indicate that although fish kills are increasingly associated withP. parvumblooms occurring in inland waters, further study is required to define the influences of toxin sensitivities of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish communities onP. parvumbloom initiation and termination.

Does Haplodiploidy Purge Inbreeding Depression in Rotifer Populations?

BackgroundInbreeding depression is an important evolutionary factor, particularly when new habitats are colonized by few individuals. Then, inbreeding depression by drift could favour the establishment of later immigrants because their hybrid offspring would enjoy higher fitness. Rotifers are the only major zooplanktonic group where information on inbreeding depression is still critically scarce, despite the fact that in cyclical parthenogenetic rotifers males are haploid and could purge deleterious recessive alleles, thereby decreasing inbreeding depression.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe studied the effects of inbreeding in two populations of the cyclical parthenogenetic rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. For each population, we compared both the parental fertilization proportion and F1 fitness components from intraclonal (selfed) and interclonal (outcrossed) crosses. The parental fertilization proportion was similar for both types of crosses, suggesting that there is no mechanism to avoid selfing. In the F1 generation of both populations, we found evidence of inbreeding depression for the fitness components associated with asexual reproduction; whereas inbreeding depression was only found for one of the two sexual reproduction fitness components measured.Conclusions/SignificanceOur results show that rotifers, like other major zooplanktonic groups, can be affected by inbreeding depression in different stages of their life cycle. These results suggest that haplodiploidy does not purge efficiently deleterious recessive alleles. The inbreeding depression detected here has important implications when a rotifer population is founded and intraclonal crossing is likely to occur. Thus, during the foundation of new populations inbreeding depression may provide opportunities for new immigrants, increasing gene flow between populations, and affecting genetic differentiation.

Automated system for sampling, counting, and biological analysis of rotifer populations.

Zooplankton organisms with short generation times, such as rotifers, are ideal models to study general ecological and evolutionary questions on the population level, because meaningful experiments can often be completed within a couple of weeks. Yet biological analysis of such populations is often extremely time consuming, owing to abundance estimation by counting, measuring body size, or determining the investment into sexual versus asexual reproduction. An automated system for sampling and analyzing experimental rotifer populations is described. It relies on image analysis of digital photographs taken from subsamples of the culture. The system works completely autonomously for up to several weeks and can sample up to 12 cultures at time intervals down to a few hours. It allows quantitative analysis of female population density at a precision equivalent to that of conventional methods (i.e., manual counts of samples fixed in Lugol solution), and it can also recognize males, which allows detecting temporal variation of sexual reproduction in such cultures. Another parameter that can be automatically measured with the image analysis system is female body size. This feature may be useful for studies of population productivity and/or in competition experiments with clones of different body size. In this article, I describe the basic setup of the system and tests on the efficiency of data collection, and show some example data sets on the population dynamics of different strains of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus.

Impact of Environment on the Spatio‐Temporal Distribution of Rotifers in the Tidal Guangzhou Segment of the Pearl River Estuary, China

AbstractRotifers were studied at two sites (Zhongda and Huangpu) in the tidal Guangzhou segment of the Pearl River in China, from April 2004 to March 2007. Fifty‐six species were recorded. Rotifers were most abundant during late fall. Overall, densities ranged from 4 to 5975 ind. L–1, with mean densities of 1627 ± 233 ind. L–1 at Zhongda and 1051 ± 147 ind. L–1 at Huangpu. There was a positive correlation between rotifer density and chlorophyll a concentration at both sites. At Huangpu, rotifer abundance was significantly negatively correlated with salinity. Analysis of partial correlations suggested that the fluvial hydrodynamics and the physico‐chemical characteristics of the river affected chlorophyll and the development of rotifer populations was determined by chlorophyll in the lower reaches of Pearl River. The results also show that rotifer density estimates are significantly affected by sampling method. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Historical genetics on a sediment core from a Kenyan lake: intraspecific genotype turnover in a tropical rotifer is related to past environmental changes

Using molecular genetic methods and an ancient DNA approach, we studied population and species succession of rotifers of the genus Brachionus in the Kenyan alkaline-saline crater lake Sonachi since the beginning of the 19th century as well as distribution of Brachionus haplotypes in recent and historic sediments of other lakes of the East African Rift System. The sediment core record of Lake Sonachi displays haplotypes of a distinct evolutionary lineage in all increments. Populations were dominated by a single mitochondrial haplotype for a period of 150 years, and two putatively intraspecific turnovers in dominance occurred. Both changes are concordant with major environmental perturbations documented by a profound visible change in sediment composition of the core. The first change was very abrupt and occurred after the deposition of volcanic ash at the beginning of the 19th century. The second change coincides with a major lake level lowstand during the 1940s. It was preceded by a period of successively declining lake level, in which two other haplotypes appeared in the lake. One of these putatively belongs to another species documented in historical and recent Kenyan lake sediments. The analysis of plankton population dynamics through historical time can reveal patterns of population persistence and turnover in relation to environmental changes.

Selection of low investment in sex in a cyclically parthenogenetic rotifer

Cyclical parthenogens, which combine asexual and sexual reproduction, are good models for research into the ecological and population processes affecting the evolutionary maintenance of sex. Sex in cyclically parthenogenetic rotifers is necessary for diapausing egg production, which is essential to survive adverse conditions between planktonic growing seasons. However, within a planktonic season sexual reproduction prevents clonal proliferation. Hence, clones with a low propensity for sex should be selected, becoming dominant in the population as the growing season progresses. In this context, we studied the dynamics of the heritable variation in propensity for sexual reproduction among clones of a Brachionus plicatilis rotifer population in a temporary Mediterranean pond during the period the species occurred in plankton. Clonal isolates displayed high heritable variation in their propensity for sex. Moreover, the frequency of clones with low propensity for sex increased during the growing season, which supports the hypothesized short-term selection for low investment in sex within a growing season. These results demonstrate (1) the inherent instability of the cyclical parthenogenetic life cycle, (2) the cost of sexual reproduction in cyclical parthenogens where sex produces diapausing eggs and (3) the role of the association between sexual reproduction and diapause in maintaining sex in these cyclical parthenogens.

Top-down and bottom-up effects of a processing detritivore

Detritus processing, the breaking down of organic matter into smaller particles, is an essential operation in aquatic systems because it provides resources to filter feeders and accelerates nutrient release by microorganisms. Detrital foodweb dynamics are influenced by both consumption (top-down) and production (bottom-up) effects. We tested the effects of predators and detritivores on the abundance of microorganisms in an inquiline community in pitcher plants. We manipulated densities of mosquitoes (top predator) and midges (processing detritivore) in a factorial press experiment and measured the response (density) of bacteria, protozoa, and rotifer populations over several generations. We hypothesized that: 1) midges would have a positive effect on microorganisms by increasing nutrient availability (bottom-up effects), 2) mosquitoes would depress microorganism populations through consumption (top-down effects), 3) top-down and bottom-up effects would operate independently, and 4) would attenuate with trophic position. Mosquitoes (predators) had a negative effect on all measured populations. Midges (processing detritivores) had a positive effect on bacteria, but a negative effect on rotifers and some protozoan taxa. The increase in bacterial density probably was the result of nutrient enrichment from detritus processing, whereas the decrease in rotifers seems to have been the result of consumption by midges. Our study shows that the role of processing detritivores is complex and can enhance both bottom-up and top-down effects. Specifically, omnivory can complicate simple top-down and bottom-up predictions. Although they accelerate decomposition by microorganisms and, thereby, can increase resource availability, processing detritivores can also be important consumers in detrital food webs.

Crossed induction of sex in sympatric congeneric rotifer populations

The transition from asexual to sexual reproduction in rotifers of the genus Brachionus (Monogononta) is triggered by a chemical signal produced and released by the rotifers themselves; the signal accumulates in the environment as population density increases. The response to this signal has been hypothesized to be speciesspecific. If not, the timing of sex and final diapausing egg production of a species might not be optimized. In this study, a set of experiments—based on individual and mass culture approaches—was carried out to investigate the differentiation in sex induction signals between sympatric and allopatric congeneric Brachionus populations by analyzing the capability of the medium conditioned by the growth of a population (i.e., medium containing the inducing signal) to induce sex in a different one. We found that populations induce sex in response to medium conditioned by congeneric populations. Results suggest differences among species in their production and responsiveness to sex‐inducing signals, as well as slight differentiation in these signals. The observed lack of strong differentiation between sympatric populations is proposed to have implications in avoidance of competition.

Effects of three organophosphorus pesticides on population growth and sexual reproduction of rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas

Effects of organophosphorus pesticides including dichlorvos, triazophos and chlorpyrifos on population growth and sexual reproduction of freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus were studied by 3-d population growth and 4-d resting egg production tests. The results showed that all the three organophosphorus pesticides influenced significantly the population growth rate, the ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females in the rotifer populations and the resting egg production of the rotifers. Both dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos influenced markedly the mictic rate of the rotifers, but triazophos did not. Compared to the controls, both dichlorvos at 10.0–1000.0 μg/L and chlorpyrifos at 0.01–100.0 μg/L increased the population growth rate, but the reverse was also true for dichlorvos and triazophos both at 10000.0 μg/L. Chlorpyrifos at 10000.0 μg/L made the rotifers dead after 24-hr exposure. Dichlorvos and triazophos both at 10000.0 μg/L, and chlorpyrifos at 1000.0 μg/L all increased the ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females. Both dichlorvos at 10000.0 μg/L and chlorpyrifos at 0.1–100.0 μg/L increased the mictic rate. Dichlorvos at 10.0 μg/L and 100.0 μg/L, and triazophos and chlorpyrifos both at 0.1–100.0 μg/L increased the resting egg production. Both population growth rate and ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females are suitable endpoints for assessing the effects of dichlorvos, triazophos and chlorpyrifos, and mictic rate is a suitable endpoint for monitoring the effects of dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos on the reproduction of the rotifers. Both population growth rate and ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females are more sensitive to dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos than mictic rate.

Differences in life table demography among eight geographic populations of Brachionus calyciflorus (Rotifera) from China

Eight geographic populations of Brachionus calyciflorus collected from China in August 2007 were cultured at 18 °C, 23 °C and 28 °C with 3.0×10 6 cells mL −1 of alga Scenedesmus obliquus to investigate their differences in life table demography. The results showed that the response in each of the life table demographic parameters (age-specific survivorship and fecundity, life expectancy at hatching, generation time, net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of population increase and proportion of sexual offspring) to increasing temperature differed with geographic population. Life expectancy at hatching, generation time, net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of population increase were all significantly influenced by temperature, geographic population and their interaction and indirectly affected by the changes in body size and egg volume of the rotifers; however, the proportion of sexual offspring produced by the rotifers was markedly influenced only by geographic population. Among all the combinations of temperature and geographic population, the generation times of Guangzhou and Hainan populations at 18 °C were the longest, and the intrinsic rate of population increase of the Tai’an population at 18 °C was the lowest. Among all the eight geographic populations, the proportion of sexual offspring produced by Xuzhou population was the highest. Although the higher proportions of sexual offspring produced by all the geographic populations of rotifers (9.7–41.1%) might lead to higher resting egg productions, and thus to wide spread of the rotifers among the eight geographic populations, their differences in life table demography might be regarded as the results of adaptation to the different environmental conditions faced by them in the field.

A method for efficient extraction of rotifers (Rotifera) from soils

Abstract Rotifers are a group of soil animals which are not commonly quantified. The most recent data originated from soil studies focussed on nematodes and various modifications of the Baermann funnel, which is not suitable for rotifers. The present study developed a method for quantitative extraction of rotifers, which gives representative results describing rotifer populations and facilitates subsequent identification to the species level. The LC extractor recovered rotifer numbers that were two orders of magnitude higher than what was extracted from the Baermann funnel. The method involves spreading a soil sample on a plastic sieve and uses a very thin layer of cellulose submerged in distilled water in a Petri dish. The Petri dish is situated on a cooled panel and light from the top by fluorescent lamps. The temperature of the base panel which gave the best extraction results was determined experimentally to be 5 °C. Rotifers were not able to withstand any heating from the top, which drastically reduced extraction results.

Identification of genes differentially expressed by calorie restriction in the rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis)

A monogonont rotifer Brachionus plicatilis has been widely used as a model organism for physiological, ecological studies and for ecotoxicology. Because of the availability of parthenogenetic mode of reproduction as well as its versatility to be used as live food in aquaculture, the population dynamic studies using the rotifer have become more important and acquired the priority over those using other species. Although many studies have been conducted to identify environmental factors that influence rotifer populations, the molecular mechanisms involved still remain to be elucidated. In this study, gene(s) differentially expressed by calorie restriction in the rotifer was analyzed, where a calorie-restricted group was fed 3 h day(-1) and a well-fed group fed ad libitum. A subtracted cDNA library from the calorie-restricted rotifer was constructed using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). One hundred sixty-three expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were identified, which included 109 putative genes with a high identity to known genes in the publicly available database as well as 54 unknown ESTs. After assembling, a total of 38 different genes were obtained among 109 ESTs. Further validation of expression by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-PCR showed that 29 out of the 38 genes obtained by SSH were up regulated by calorie restriction.

Rotifer abundance, biomass, and secondary production after the recovery of hydrologic connectivity between a river and two marginal lakes (São Paulo, Brazil)

Rotifera density, biomass, and secondary production on two marginal lakes of Paranapanema River were compared after the recovery of hydrologic connectivity with the river (São Paulo State, Brazil). Daily samplings were performed in limnetic zone of both lakes during the rainy season immediately after lateral inflow of water and, in the dry period, six months after hydrologic connectivity recovery. In order to identify the factors that affect rotifer population dynamics, lake water level, volume, depth, temperature, transparency, dissolved oxygen, pH, alkalinity, conductivity, suspended solids, nutrients, and chlorophyll- a were determined. Variations of water physical and chemical factors that affect rotifer population were related to the lake‐river degree of connection and to water level rising after drought. The water lateral inflow from the river resulted in an increase in lake water volume, depth, and transparency and a decrease in water pH, alkalinity, and suspended solids. The lake with the wider river connection, more frequent biota exchange, and larger amount of particulate and dissolved materials was richer and more diverse, while rotifer density, biomass, and productivity were lower in both periods studied. Density, biomass, and secondary production were higher in the lake with the smaller river connection and the higher physical and chemical stability. Our results show that the connectivity affects the limnological stability, associated to seasonality. Stable conditions, caused by low connectivity in dry periods, were related with high density, biomass and secondary production. Conversely, instability conditions in rainy periods were associated to elevated richness and diversity values, caused by exchange biota due to higher connectivity.

Differences in Asexual and Sexual Reproduction among Eight Geographic Populations of Brachionus calyciflorus (Rotifera) from China

ABSTRACT Eight geographic populations of Brachionus calyciflorus collected from China were cultured at 18°C, 23°C, and 28°C with 3.0×106 cells/mL of alga Scenedesmus obliquus to investigate their asexual and sexual reproduction. There were significant effects of both temperature and geographic population, independently and in interaction on population growth rate, fertilization rate of mictic females, and resting egg production of the rotifers. Geographic population and interaction between temperature and geographic population influenced significantly mixis rate in the rotifer population.

A conceptual mathematical model of the aquatic communities of lakes Naroch and Myastro (Belarus)

A conceptual mathematical model of fish and zooplankton (rotifer) populations inhabiting the lakes Naroch and Myastro has been developed and studied. The parametrization of the model was carried out having regard to the field observation data. The population dynamics was simulated taking into account that the lakes Naroch and Myastro are coupled with each other by a channel. It was shown that both the population coupling and trophic interactions result in regular and irregular oscillations of the population size.

Role of interference from Daphnia and predation by cyclopoid copepods in zooplankton community structure: experimental analysis using mesocosms

The reduction of planktivorous fish populations in lakes through biomanipulation often results in increased abundance of the large cladoceran Daphnia and invertebrate predators, such as cyclopoid copepods, and also in decreased numbers of small zooplankters, such as the cladoceran Bosmina longirostris and rotifers. To investigate the factors causing reduced abundance of small zooplankton species in lakes, we performed a mesocosm experiment where the abundance of Daphnia and cyclopoid copepods (Mesocyclops sp.) were controlled. Bosmina populations declined substantially in mesocosms with abundant copepods, implying that predation by cyclopoid copepods is a major factor controlling Bosmina populations in lakes. In contrast, rotifer densities were reduced in the mesocosms with Daphnia, even though excess food (Chlorella vulgaris) was provided. This suggests that rotifer populations are effectively controlled by interference competition with Daphnia.

Distribution and population structure of two bacterial-feeding nematode genera in ice-free areas in East Antarctica

AbstractVery dense populations of nematodes of the genera Plectus and Panagrolaimus were found in moss cushions and in ornithogenic soils in a number of localities on mountain outcrops (nunataks) penetrating the ice sheet and in a coastal oasis in East Antarctica. These high abundances permitted analysis of the structure of populations from various sites. Patterns of distribution and size-class composition in nematode populations from the Basen nunatak, and from scattered samples taken in a larger area including several nunataks and one coastal oasis in Dronning Maud Land, were investigated. It is suggested that the composition of developmental stages and structure of the nematode populations are influenced by environmental conditions such as food supply, temperature and maybe predation or competition from coexisting populations of tardigrades, protozoans and rotifers. The results indicated that the population dynamics were not synchronised among the sites. In several populations the animals appeared well fed with a high frequency of gravid females. In the more extreme localities, in particular, the proportion of adults was very high, and in these sites the recruitment to the populations appeared to be rather low as indicated by the low proportion of juveniles. The structure of the nematode populations seemed little influenced by various combinations of co-occurring tardigrades or rotifers. There were some differences in population structure between nematode populations from different nunataks which could possibly be caused by genetic variability due to long periods of isolation.

Feeding habits of hatchery-reared larvae of greater amberjack Seriola dumerili

To obtain basic knowledge on the feeding habits of greater amberjack Seriola dumerili larvae during the early phase of seed production, larvae were reared until 15–20 days post hatching. Larvae were fed on rotifers Brachionus plicatilis sp. complex with different body sizes, i.e., super small type, small type, and large type rotifers, and the survival rate, standard body length (SBL) and gut contents of the larvae were examined. There were no significant effects of rotifer size on survival and growth of greater amberjack larvae, except for the smallest SBL of larvae fed with super small type rotifers. The body sizes (lorica length and lorica width) of rotifers ingested by larvae did not change in accordance with the growth in larval body size and mouth size from the onset of feeding to ~7.6 mm SBL, despite the larvae having a chance to prey on larger body size rotifers in the tanks. Counting the number of rotifer eggs in the guts revealed that larvae≥4.5 mm SBL appeared to selectively prey on egg-bearing rotifers, whose body sizes are relatively large among the rotifer populations in the tanks, indicating an ontogenic change in the feeding habit of greater amberjack larvae.