Demography and feeding behavior of Stenostomum leucops (Duges, 1828)
Por:
Nunez-Ortiz, Alma R., Nandini, Sarma, Sarma, S. S. S.
Publicada:
1 ene 2016
Resumen:
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, Stenostomum leucops. We conducted population
growth experiments using abundant food (several rotifer and cladocerans
species). To evaluate possible impact of S. leucops on planktonic
communities, we conducted prey preference experiments at two
temperatures: 18 and 23 degrees 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 S. leucops densities than those with detritus
supplements in their diets. In the case of animal diets, Euchlanis
dilatata allowed S. leucops reach higher densities than the other
zooplankton species; E. dilatata was positively selected for in the
selectivity study at both 18 and 23 degrees C. Stenostomum leucops
showed a type II functional response on rotifers and the cladoceran
Alona glabra. Our results suggest that S. leucops select their prey
according to their vulnerability using different mechanisms, which
optimize their food intake.
Filiaciones:
Nunez-Ortiz, Alma R.:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Lab Zool Acuat, Unidad Morfofisiol, Fac Estudios Super Iztacala, Ave Barrios 1, Iztacala 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
Nandini, Sarma:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Lab Zool Acuat, Unidad Morfofisiol, Fac Estudios Super Iztacala, Ave Barrios 1, Iztacala 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
Sarma, S. S. S.:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Lab Zool Acuat, Unidad Morfofisiol, Fac Estudios Super Iztacala, Ave Barrios 1, Iztacala 54090, Tlalnepantla, Mexico
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