Demography of Mesochra lilljeborgi and Amonardia normani (Copepoda. Harpacticoida) reared on two diatom diets

Abstract

Life histories of 2 harpacticoids, Amonardia normani and Mesochra lilljeborgi , reared on 2 diatom diets, are compared. Both species showed differences in growth and survival between the 2 diets, but the effect was more pronounced in M. lilljeborgi which both reproduced and survived better when fed on Navicula sp. than on Nitzschia frustulum . Life tables were constructed for both species.