Copepod feeding performance as a function of prey nutritional quality

TL;DRAbstract

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author. Copepods have been considered capable to feed selectively on several bases (i.e., cell size, toxicity), however their selective behaviour as a function of food quality is yet poorly understood. In the present work we conducted a series of laboratory experiments aiming to investigate the feeding performance of the copepod Acartia grani on the basis of the nutritional load of the dinoflagellate Heterocapsa sp. The selected prey was grown under three nutrient conditions (nutrient repletion, nitrogen and phosphorus limitation) and offered to copepods in single or mixed suspensions, at two distinct food levels. The three virtually indistinguishable Heterocapsa sp. types produced, were discriminated by fluorescent vital staining and their nutritional value was evaluated by the estimation of C:N:P elemental ratios and the determination of copepod egg production rates. Our results showed that the prey offered differed consider

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