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

Abstract

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.

DNA barcodes for ecology, evolution, and conservation

“…An extensive DNA barcode study on Microgastrinae wasps demonstrated significant insights into their taxonomy and species discovery [22]. Such cryptic diversity has been uncovered using DNA barcodes in other animal taxa, including crustaceans, diatoms, and fish [23][24][25]. The use of DNA barcodes for the discovery of new species is emerging as a powerful tool to clarify species boundaries and to quantify species diversity [26].…”

Egg production and life history of Alona guttata Sars, 1862 (Cladocera, Chydoridae): implications for colonization of temporary ponds

“…The egg production of A. guttata is similar to other species of Chydoridae, as seen in Table 2. The longevity of A. guttata (30,9 days) is higher to those of other species of Chydoridae Santos Silva et al, 2014). Many factors can influence cladocerans longevity, especially water temperature, photoperiod and food quality Ferrão-Filho and Azevedo, 2003).…”

Life cycle traits, secondary production and DNA barcode of Oxyurella ciliata Bergamin, 1939 (Crustacea, Branchiopoda, Anomopoda, Chydoridae)

“…Classic taxonomy and geographic distribution of Cladocera in general date from nineteen century throughout the Americas, but only only recently (last fifty years) changed to be devoted to studies on life cycle, particularly the reproductive parameters of species and recently intensified to explore the genetic material (Silva et al, 2014;Castilho et al, 2015;Abreu et al, 2021).…”

“…Similarly, biomass quantification studies and secondary production of aquatic populations and communities provide information on the organic matter available at different trophic levels and can characterize the complexity of the main biotic interactions, such as competition, predation and natural disturbances (Echevarría et al, 1990;Ahrens & Peter, 1991). Cultivation under controlled conditions allows a detailed observation of individuals' development and a better understanding of several bionomical aspects, such as body growth, reproduction and longevity (Silva et al, 2014). These data can be used to select species to be used as test organisms or as indicators in environmental quality studies, thus contributing to the management and preservation of aquatic environments (Adema, 1978;Freitas & Rocha, 2006;Mansano et al, 2018).…”