Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7fkt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T13:23:38.055Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Temporal variation in the morphology of the rotifer Keratella quadrata(Müller, 1786)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2009

K. F. Roche*
Affiliation:
Zoology Department, University College Cork, Lee Maltings, Prospect Row, Cork, Ireland
Get access

Abstract

Changes in body shape of the rotifer Keratella quadrata in a pond were recorded over the course of half a year (endof November 1981 to beginning of June 1982). Body and caudal spine lengths increased from November until the endof February, and then decreased until June. Such changes were not significantly correlated consistently positively ornegatively to water temperature, pH, hardness, food levels or copepod numbers. The individuals present during the firsthalf of the study period corresponded most closely to the literature descriptions of the group or subspecies quadrata,while those present during the second half resembled the form, group or variety dispersa. The first half of the studyperiod was characterized by water of relatively low temperature, low pH and high hardness, while, for the second half, temperature and pH increased and hardness decreased.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Gauthier-Villars, 1993

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)