Original paper
Inter- and intraspecific variations in zooplankton element composition
Hessen, Dag O.; Lyche, Anne
Archiv für Hydrobiologie Volume 121 Number 3 (1991), p. 343 - 353
20 references
published: Jun 20, 1991
DOI: 10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/121/1991/343
ArtNo. ESP141012103005, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Specific composition of nutrient elements (C, N and P) was investigated in a number of crustacean zooplankton species from localities with varying trophy and sestonic elemental composition. Pronounced variation in interspecific content of P was recorded, while intraspecific variations were restricted. Cladoceran filtrators like Daphnia had a far higher specific P-content (> 1.5 % P of DW) compared with carnivorous cladocerans and copepods (~ 0.5 % P of DW). N and C showed less interspecific variations with means close to 9-10 and 45-50 % of DW respectively for most species, however with a tendency for higher specific N-content in the copepods. For C, a pronounced intraspecific variation was recorded in the copepods. The recognition of a high interspecific - while low intraspecific - variability in elemental ratios in zooplankton permit predictions of species-specific demands and release rates of nutrient elements and allow a more precise estimation of standing stock of zooplankton in terms of major elements.
Keywords
zooplankton • crustaceans • Cladoceran filtrators • nutrient elements • P-content • copepods