Feeding selectivity on zooplankton crustaceans by the freshwater predator, Leptodora kindtii.

Abstract

Predation is a key component and plays an important role in the structure of aquatic communities and freshwater ecosystems. Freshwater predators often exhibit feeding selectivity on their prey. The feeding selectivity of a major freshwater predator, Leptodora kindtii was tested using herbivorous zooplankton crustaceans as prey. This was conducted by starving Leptodora for 12 hours in a dark refrigerator which was set at 16 C, then feeding them a 1 ml sample of zooplankton. Leptodora ate significantly more Daphnia, Bosmina, and Diaphanosoma than Chydorus, Keratella, Acanthocyclops, Leptodiaptomus, and copepod nauplii. These results suggest that Leptodora kindtii exhibits feeding selectivity. Predation by Leptodora may play an important role in structuring freshwater ecosystems by altering the composition of zooplankton and that of the aquatic organisms which prey on them.