Journal Article

Alona iheringula Sinev & Kotov, 2004 (Crustacea, Anomopoda, Chydoridae, Aloninae): Life Cycle and DNA Barcode with Implications for the Taxonomy of the Aloninae Subfamily

Silva, Erika dos Santos, Santos-Wisniewski, Maria José dos, Orlando, Tereza Cristina, Abreu, Cínthia Bruno de, Wisniewski, Célio

2014

Overview

Knowledge of reproductive rates and life cycle of the Cladocera species is essential for population dynamic studies, secondary production and food webs, as well as the management and preservation of aquatic ecosystems. The present study aimed to understand the life cycle and growth of Alona iheringula Kotov & Sinev, 2004 (Crustacea, Anomopoda, Chydoridae), a Neotropical species, as well as its DNA barcoding, providing new information on the Aloninae taxonomy. The specimens were collected in the dammed portion of the Cabo Verde River (21°26'05″ S and 46°10'57″ W), in the Furnas Reservoir, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Forty neonates were observed individually two or three times a day under controlled temperature (25±1°C), photoperiod (12 h light/12 h dark) and feeding (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata at a concentration of 105 cells.mL-1 and a mixed suspension of yeast and fish feed in equal proportion). Individual body growth was measured daily under optical microscope using a micrometric grid and 40× magnification. The species had a mean size of 413(±29) µm, a maximum size of 510 µm and reached maturity at 3.24(±0.69) days of age. Mean fecundity was 2 eggs per female per brood and the mean number of eggs produced per female during the entire life cycle was 47.6(±6.3) eggs per female. The embryonic development time was 1.79(±0.23) days and the maximum longevity was 54 days. The species had eight instars throughout its life cycle and four instars between neonate and primipara stage. The present study using molecular data (a 461 bp smaller COI fragment) demonstrated a deep divergence in the Aloninae subfamily.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Alona / Alona costata / Animals / Anomopoda / Aquatic ecosystems / Aquatic plants / Bar codes / Biodiversity / Biology and Life Sciences / Branchiopoda / Chydoridae / Chydorus / Cladocera / Cladocera - classification / Cladocera - enzymology / Cladocera - genetics / Cladocera - growth & development / Crustacea / Crustaceans / Deoxyribonucleic acid / Divergence / DNA / DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic / Earth Sciences / Ecology and Environmental Sciences / Ecosystem management / Eggs / Electron Transport Complex IV - genetics / Embryogenesis / Embryonic development / Embryonic growth stage / Fecundity / Female / Females / Fish eggs / Fish feeds / Food / Food chains / Food production / Food webs / Gene sequencing / Instars / Life cycle engineering / Life Cycle Stages / Life cycles / Neonates / Newborn babies / Population studies / Preservation / Protection and preservation / Rivers / Secondary production / Strategic management / Taxonomy / Temperature effects / Yeast