Schulz, K.L. and P.M. Yurista, 1998. Implications of an Invertebrate Predator's (Bythotrephes cederstroemi) Atypical Effects on a Pelagic Zooplankton Community, University of Minnesota.

Reprinted from Hydrobiologia (1998) 380: 179-193, with kind permission from Springer Science and Business Media

Abstract
The traditional view of predaceous zooplankton is that they prefer small-bodied prey, are hindered by morphological anti-predator defenses, and have a minor influence on zooplankton communities when fish are present. We performed a series of experiments with the large-bodied onychopod (cladoceran) Bythotrephes cederstroemi, in which we incubated this predator with known prey to determine prey preference and predation rates. We also performed an allozyme analysis of prey tissue in the gut of B. cederstroemi collected from several stations around Lake Michigan to determine what prey types are chosen in the field. We found that B. cederstroemi does not fit the standard invertebrate predator mold adult B. cederstroemi  prefer large (>2.0 mm) Daphnia pulicaria over smaller individuals; the elongated tailspine and helmet of Daphnia galeata mendotae are not effective deterrents to B. cederstroemi predation; and B. cederstroemi is a generalist predator with the potential to consume a significant portion of cladoceran production in Lake Michigan.

Contact: Kimberly Schulz, University of Minnesota, Department of Ecology, Evolution & Behavior, 100 Ecology Bldg., 1987 Upper Bufford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108
Keywords: Bythotrephes, Basic_biology, Ecological_interactions 
Product Type: Research, Basic_biology
User Type: General