Size, dry weight, ash, and concentration of C, H, N, P, and Ca of Daphnia hyalina from Lago Monate (northern Italy) have been investigated. The concentration of the elements varies with age of the individuals. Eggs have the maximum concentration of C and H, the new‐born of P, and the young of N. No seasonal variation was observed for individuals of the same size.
Nucleic acid concentrations show large variations between different planktonic species. RNA concentration is much higher in phytoplankton than in zooplankton. DNA varies to a considerable extent, being five to six times higher in copepods than in cladocerans. In Daphnia hyalina, nucleic acid contents are proportional to dry weight during the whole life cycle except in newborn Daphnia where DNA concentration is abnormally high. Seasonal variations affect, to a large extent, nucleic acid concentrations. These results rule out the possibility of using nucleic acids as indicators of biomass in mixed planktonic populations.
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