Filtering structures and particle size selection in coexisting Cladocera

Five commonly co-occurring cladocerans, Holopedium gibberum, Daphnia longispina, Ceriodaphnia quadrangula, Bosmina longispina, Diaphanosoma brachyurum and the calanoid copepod Eudiaptomus gracilis were fed monodisperse fluorescent latex beads (0.5, 1,5 μm) to reveal clearance rates and particle size selection. The results were compared to those obtained with labelled bacteria and yeast. All cladoceran species ingested the beads, and particle size selection varied from a strong predominance of the largest particles in Holopedium, to an almost non selective particle retention in Diaphanosoma. The results indicated a strong correlation between morphology of the filtering combs, measured by Scanning electron microscopy, and ability to retain the smallest particles.