Standard and Proportional Error Model Comparison for Logistic Growth of Green Algae (Raphidocelis subcapiala)

We validate a model for the population dynamics, as they occur in a chemostat environment, of the green algae Raphidocelis subcapitata, a species that is often used as a primary food source in toxicity experiments for the fresh water crustacean Daphnia magna. We collected longitudinal data from 4 replicate population experiments with R. subcapitata. This data was fit to a logistical growth model to reveal patterns of the algae growth in a continuous culture. Overall, our results suggest that a proportional error statistical model is the most appropriate for logistic growth modeling of R. subcapiala continuous population growth.