Differential growth rates of three cladoceran species in response to mono‐ and mixed‐algal cultures

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Abstract
Population growth rates for Daphnia longispina, Bosmina longispina, and Chydorus sphaericus were determined in monocultures or mixtures of algae typical of the spring bloom (Stephanodiscus, Rhodomonas, and Chlamydomonas) and summer (Scenedesmus, Chlorella, and Microcystis). Algae from the spring bloom resulted in optimal population growth, whereas the green algae and cyanobacteria were of poorer quality. Daphnia showed the highest growth rates in all resources tested. Chydorus attained similar positive growth rates in most of the resources. In contrast, Bosmina achieved positive growth only in Stephanodiscus and Rhodomonas. For Bosmina, a combination of Stephanodiscus and Rhodomonas resulted in a positive synergisic effect on growth. The quality of resources depends greatly on the grazer of interest and cannot be generalized from results with Daphnia alone.

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