Growth,
filtration and ingestion rate of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis
fed with large (Asteromonas gracilis) and small (Chlorella
sp.) celled algal species
G.N.
Hotos-2003
Aquaculture
Research, 34(10):
793
Abstract:
The
rotifer Brachionus plicatilis was fed in experimental conditions with
a small celled (2-5 µm) Chlorella sp. and a large celled (16-22 µm)
Asteromonas gracilis algae. The specific growth rate (SGR) of
rotifers fed Asteromonas (maximum 0.79) was statistically higher than
that for rotifers fed Chlorella (maximium 0.61). The filtration and
ingestion rates using different rotifer and algal densities exhibited
certain maxima depending on the species, the cell density and the condition
of the rotifers. The filtration rate was higher with Asteromonas and,
although ingestion rate was lower than with Chlorella, the ingestion
in terms of cell volume was 10-fold higher. It seems that B. plicatilis
ingests the larger cell diameter algal species more efficiently than the
smaller species that is usually used for its mass culture.
(Laboratory for Culture of Euryhaline Fish,
Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Technological Educational
Institution (T.E.I) of Messolonghi, 30200 Messolonghi, Greece. E-mail:
ghotos@teimes.gr)