Grant-funded Project Nr. 115/2002/B-BIO/PřF Final Report
Project title:
Mechanisms of coexistence of the littoral species of the genus Ceriodaphnia
Research leader:
Mgr. Pavel Kožený
Co-researcher:
Prof. RNDr. Vladimír Kořínek, CSc.
Period of project:
2002-2003
Overall grant:
174 000 CZK
Project Results
The study concerned on coexisting water fleas of the genus Ceriodaphnia in a bearded pond littoral. For the species life strategies description combination of field sampling and experimental work in laboratory was used.
In the littoral zone of the Žabinec pond (Vrbno, Blatná district, Czech republic) during the summer season simultaneous occurrence of at least four species of the genus Ceriodaphnia (Ceriodaphnia affinis, Ceriodaphnia reticulata, Ceriodaphnia megops, Ceriodaphnia laticaudata, Ceriodaphnia rotunda) was observed.
Abiotic conditions of the pond littoral studied are characteristic by strong temperature and dissolved oxygen fluctuation.
Ceriodaphnia laticaudata and Ceriodaphnia rotunda species had longer postembryonic developmental time under laboratory conditions than Ceriodaphnia reticulata, Ceriodaphnia megops and Ceriodaphnia affinis species.
Both Ceriodaphnia laticaudata and Ceriodaphnia rotunda populations were observed long-term red-coloured. It was caused by hemoglobin production, which was proved by light spectroscopy. It seems to be necessary to make a quantitative analysis of the hemoglobin amount in the water fleas biomass.
Hemoglobin producing species populations survive better low oxygen conditions than populations without hemoglobin.