Chronic effects of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae on the survival and reproduction of daphnids

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2004

Authors

de Figueiredo, DR (Author) Other; Antunes, SC (Author) Other; Pereira, MI (Author) Other; Goncalves, FG (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Fresenius Environmental Bulletin

Vol. 13

Pages: 665-670

ISSN: 1018-4619

Publisher: Technische Universitat Munchen

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

Scopus - 7 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-CS2

Abstract (EN): The ingestion of filamentous cyanobacteria by zooplankton has shown to be affected by several factors such as mechanical interference and cyanotoxins production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a potentially toxic strain of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, given as a food source, on the survival and reproduction of Daphnia magna and D. longispina. Test organisms were fed with A. flos-aquae (grown in different concentrations of phosphate) and their life history traits were compared to a control, using Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata as the food source. Results showed that the daphnids tested ingested A. flos-aquae and were able to survive and reproduce during the bioassays, in spite of the significant reproductive impairment on both Daphnia spp.. Results suggest that food quality may not be the main factor controlling the reproductive rate of these daphnids, and cyanobacterial toxins production may be also involved.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6