Life history of Moina micrura (KURZ) fed with three algae species, in the laboratory

Abstract

The life history of Moina micrura (KURZ) was investigated under controlled laboratory conditions using the bottles rotated in wheels McCARTHY (1983), in constant temperature water baths (26 °C - 28 °C). The long-term growth experiments were performed using constant food concentration of three green algae: Scenedesmus quadricauda 12.5 × 107 cell/ml, Ankistrodesmus gracilis 8.33 × 107 cell/ml and Pediastrum duplex 7.1 × 107 cell/ml. Animals were examined daily throughout their life cycle from the neonate to their natural death for the following life history traits: individual growth, fertility, number of instars and longetivity. The one way ANOVA showed that, out of nine parameters evaluated, only one was signicantly different (P <0.05). The three algae species were considered a suitable food for Moina micrura.