|
|
|
Bundy, M. H., H. A. Vanderploeg, J. R. Liebig, and J. R. Strickler, 1996. Predator-prey Interactions Between Calanoid Copepods and Dreissena polymorpha Larvae, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, CILER, University of Wisconsin Abstract from The Sixth International Zebra Mussel and Other Aquatic Nuisance Species Conference, Dearborn, Michigan, March 1996 Predator-prey Interactions Between Calanoid Copepods and Dreissena polymorpha LarvaeHigh-resolution video recordings of freely swimming calanoid copepods provided a means of directly observing copepod predation on Dreissena polymorpha larvae. Female Diaptomus sicilis, Limnocalanus macrurus and Epischura lacustris were observed while feeding on Dreissena trochophores (no shell) and on D-stage larvae (shelled). Individual copepods were videotaped for long periods of time in 3 liter filming vessels. Captures, injestions, rejections and avoidance of the larvae by each copepod predator were then tabulated. Trochophores were readily captured and ingested, while D-stage larvae were often avoided, and if captured, were usually rejected. Species-specific differences in predation on the two developmental stages were examined in the context of published results from traditional predator experiments in bottles. The evolutionary advantages of the bivalve shell will be discussed.
Key Words: Zebra_mussel, Ecological_interactions, Biological_control |