Ratio-dependent functional response of two common Cladocera present in farmland ponds to Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is responsible for amphibian declines worldwide. Decreasing the aquatic density of this chytrid through consumption its infectious zoospores by Cladocera (water fleas) may mitigate impact chytridiomycosis. Understanding predator-prey relationship requires insights in zoospore ingestion rate an average water flea, but such data are almost non-existent. We investigated functional response Simocephalus vetulus and Chydorus sphaericus feeding on B. zoospores. These commonly occur farmland ponds, which represent a major habitat disease control. Both fleas actively ingested their per capita was best modelled function zoospore-to-Cladocera ratio, implying mutual interference among during feeding. The larger S. substantially consumed more zoospores, characterised maximum 2.5 × 105 zoospores.Cladocera?1.h?1.mL?1, about 12 times higher than C. sphaericus. findings useful to support model-based management