Feeding and reproductive performance of the harpacticoid Tisbe carolinensis (Copepoda, Crustacea) in four algal cultures

Abstract

The functional relation between the harpacticoid copepod T. carolinensis and 4 algal strains was examined in the laboratory. T. carolinensis reared either in suspensions of the green alga Chlorella autotrophica (Strain 580) or the 2 blue-green algae Agmenellum quadruplicatum (Strain PR-6) and Anabaena sp. (Strain CA) showed marked differential mortalities between sexes, and had fecal production rates of < 0.2 ind super(-1)h-1 . T. carolinensis in these algal cultures produced smaller numbers of brood and fewer viable nauplii than those exposed to the pennate diatom Cylindrotheca sp. (Strain N-1) or a mixed diet of all 4 algae. T. carolinensis fed actiively on Strain N-1 and on the mixture, and fecal pellet production rates averaged > 1.2 ind super(1-) h super(-1). Under laboratory conditions with Strain N-1, interclutch interval was estimated to be 4 to 4.5 d, of which 24 to 33 h was required for oviposition and 3 d for embryonic development.