Ref ID : 1966
Richard S. Stemberger; The potential for population growth of Ascomorpha ecaudis. Hydrobiologia 147:297-301, 1987
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The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m)) of the rotifer Ascomorpha ecaudis was found to be a hyperbolic function of food concentration. The threshold food concentration and r(max)/2-food concentration determined for this species were significantly lower than values predicted from allometric models. These growth characteristics may be related to the mucus house in which Ascomorpha lives and/or the symbiotic algae living in its body tissues. The maximum rate of population growth recorded (0.71 day-1) was similar to that of other soft-bodied rotifers of similar body mass. These population growth characteristics and the resistance of this species to invertebrate predation should allow it to become a dominant member of freshwater zooplankton communities. However, field observation suggest that it is not. Reasons for this are suggested.