Calanoid copepods feed and produce eggs in the presence of toxic cyanobacteria Nodularia spumigena

• DOI: 10.4319/lo.2002.47.3.0878
• Publication Date: 2010-06-30T20:24:25Z
• Authors: Marja Koski; Katrin Schmidt; Jonna Engström-Öst; Markku Viitasalo; Sigrún Jónasdóttir; Sari Repka; Kaarina Sivonen
• Keywords: Mesocosm; Seston; Bloom

Feeding and fecundity of two calanoid copepod species ( Acartia bifilosa Eurytemora affinis ) were studied in a food assemblage dominated by toxic cyanobacteria, to reveal whether mesozooplankton are able obtain sufficient good quality different phases cyanobacteria bloom. Bloom conditions simulated mesocosm adding high concentration cultured hepatotoxic Nodularia spumigena 100 mm filtered natural sea water. This seston was fed copepods at days 1, 7, 14 from the start experiment, when it consisted actively growing (days 1 7) increasing amounts heterotrophic organisms probably detritus (day 14). From bulk changes chlorophyll estimated ratios between accessory pigments, appears that both ingested large quantities first experiment but switched ciliates those became more abundant. Egg production A. observed all experiments, irrespective nodularin mesocosm. The results demonstrate dominant Baltic Sea feed, survive, produce eggs plankton community cyanobacteria.