The infection of Moina macrocopa by a colonial peritrich, Epistylis daphniae, and its effects on the host

Abstract

1. The effects of infection by Epistylis daphniae on its host, Moina macrocopa, were studied in the laboratory at 28°C by comparing the growth, reproduction and survival between infected and uninfected hosts. 2. Infestation by epizoites had little or no effect on the survival of the cladoceran hosts when adequate food was present. 3. The infected cladocerans had lower growth rates as juveniles, lower net reproduction rates as adults, and smaller body size at death than uninfected hosts. 4. The index of infection at different stages in the life cycle was related to the durations of intermoult period. Ranked in order of both index of infection and intermoult duration, the development stages were: old adult > young adult > juvenile.

The ciliate epibiont Epistylis pygmaeum: selection for zooplankton hosts, reproduction and effect on two rotifers

“…When starved, infested copepodites had lower survival than control. Xu (1993) examined the effect of this same peritrich on the cladoceran Moina macrocopa . The epibiont did not influence survival or adult growth rate but decreased juvenile growth rate and fecundity.…”

“…While the effect of E. pygmaeum on crustacean hosts was not investigated, this peritrich may have a similar differential effect on crustacean taxa. It has pronounced preferences for certain cladoceran taxa and may inhibit the growth and reproduction of these taxa, just as its congener, Epistylis daphniae , was shown by Xu (1993) to inhibit Moina .…”

“…Keiser, 1921; Stiller, 1941; Nenninger, 1948; Sommer, 1951; Green, 1974; Fernandez‐Leborans & Tato‐Porto, 2000). The ecology of these ciliates and other protistan epibionts has received considerable attention, especially regarding their selection and colonisation of hosts, and their effects on host survival and reproduction (Green, 1974; Xu & Burns, 1991; Threlkeld, Chiavelli & Willey, 1993; Xu, 1993). Almost all reports, and all experimental studies, of peritrich epibionts on zooplankton involve crustacean hosts–cladocerans and copepods in freshwater systems and copepods in marine systems.…”

Seasonal variation of microcrustaceans and microbial flora on their surface in the overlying water of a Japanese paddy field

“…Freshwater microcrustaceans often carry protozoa, algae and/or rotifers on their surface as well as bacteria Xu 1993). It is considered that the epibionts may impede the movement of hosts and reduce the buoyancy of hosts, thereby making the maintenance of the position in the water and access to food difficult for their hosts .…”

A checklist of epibiotic ciliates (Peritrichia and Suctoria) on the cladoceran crustaceans

“…Epistylis daphniae Fauré-Fremiet, 1905 Daphnia magna -Germany (Nenninger 1948); Sida crystallina -Germany (Nenninger 1948 (Xu Z. 1992(Xu Z. , 1993; Different cladocerans -Donghu Lake, Wuhan, China (Ji et al 1999). Epistylis fungitans Kellicot, 1887 Sida crystallina -North America (Kellicot 1887).…”