Effect of temperature and type of food on the growth of Moina micrura (Kurz, 1874) (Anomopoda: Moinidae), in laboratory conditions.

Abstract

Moina micrura was grown at 20 and 25°C, fed with the green microalgae Ankistrodesmus falcatus and
Scenedesmus incrassatulus, at a food concentration of 300,000 cell ml-1. Survival, longevity and reproduction during a full life-cycle test were registered. Temperature was the only factor that produced significant effects in all the assessed responses. Food type produced significant differences in the average clutch size. Organisms grown at 25°C had the lowest survival and the largest total progeny per female. Time to first reproduction ranged from 3.6 to 6.6 days, with the lowest values at 25°C. The highest average longevity was observed for organisms fed with A. falcatus at 20°C (14.49 days). Average inter-clutch time ranged from 33.3 to 42.2 h, with the lowest value recorded at 25°C. The mean total progeny per female ranged from 41.1 to 57.9, for the organisms grown at 20 and 25°C respectively, and both fed with A. falcatus. The best results, regarding reproductive responses and longevity, were obtained for M. micrura fed with A. falcatus at 25°C. This cladoceran has a great potential for mass culture, and also may be used as a test organism in bioassays.