Growth of tropical cladocerans Ceriodaphnia cornuta G.O. Sars, 1885 and Moina micrura Kurz, 1875 fed with different diets y

Abstract

Aim: To examine the effects of different feed types (live microalgae diets and processed diets) on the growth of tropical cladocerans, Ceriodaphnia cornuta G.O. Sars, 1885 and Moina micrura Kurz, 1875. Methodology: Zooplankton samples were collected from a small pond in the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Live zooplankton samples were brought to the laboratory for identification, isolation, and mass culture. Experiments were accomplished by providing ad libitum feeding to zooplankton (approximately 1.0 × 106 cells mL-1 density for live algae diets and 0.01 mg ml-1 for processed diets) with three replicates for each diet. The two processed diets were the baker's yeast and Spirulina powder, and two live-algal diets were Chlorella sorokiniana Shihira and Krauss, 1965 and Chlorella vulgaris M. Beyerinck [Beijerinck], 1890. Zooplankton population density was counted every third day under a dissecting microscope by sampling 25 ml of well-mixed culture. The experiments were terminated when the population stabilized or began to decline. Results: Cultures of Ceriodaphnia cornuta and Moina micrura showed the highest (p < 0.05) mean population density, specific growth rate and body size when fed with live algae diets compared to the processed diets. Ceriodaphnia cornuta produced the highest population density (1670.0 individual l-1), ine specific growth rate (µ = 0.19), and body size (393.0 µm) in Chlorella sorokiniana diet. While M. micrura generated the highest population density (3993.67 individual l-1), specific growth rate (µ = 0.40), and body size (783.97 µm) in the culture fed with Chlorella vulgaris. The lowest population density for C. cornuta was Spirulina powder culture and baker's yeast culture for M. micrura. Interpretation: The results of the present study illustrated that both algae diets produced significantly higher (p < 0.05) population growth rate and body size than non-algal diets. Live algal diets are better food items for the growth of cladocerans, Ceriodaphnia cornuta and Moina micrura as compared to processed diets. On