Experimental and field studies of Mesocyclops notius (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from a subtropical Chinese Lake, Lake Donghu

Abstract

This paper reports experimental and field studies on the cyclopoid Mesocyclops notius from subtropical Lake Donghu dose to the Yangtze river. Mesocyclops notius, a dominant crustacean zooplankter throughout tropical Australia, was previously considered to be endemic to Australia, but recently, Mesocyclops leuckarti in Lake Donghu was re-identified as M. notius. Laboratory culture experiments were conducted to reveal the effect of temperature (15, 20, 25 and 30°C) on the development, growth and reproduction of M. notius. Temperature was inversely related to development times of eggs, nauplii and copepodites, body length and physiological longevity of adults, and brood size. Body length and physiological longevity of females were greater than those of males at the same temperature. No reproduction took place at 15°C. Production and seasonal cycles of M. notius during 1980-1982 were studied at two sampling stations of Lake Donghu. At the mid-lake station, the annual production and production/biomass (P/B) ratio of M. notius varied between 6.0 and 18.0 g dry wt m-2 year-1 and 74.6 and 95.5, respectively. Mesocyclops notius reached their highest density peaks in the warm months (July-October), with a maximum density of 1256 individuals l-1 at a littoral site. No reproduction and recruitment by M. notius took place during the cold months (December-March) when the temperature of the lake water was <15°C. Mesocyclops notius were more abundant at a littoral station than at a pelagic station, possibly due to different food availability. The higher male:female sex ratio of M. notius at the littoral station was most likely caused by size-selective fish predation on larger females.