Axenic rotifers were cultured under synxenic conditions on a bacteria-free artificial diet. The cultures were inoculated either with one of four strains of cultured marine bacteria, or with mixtures of bacteria made up with the same four strains and differing only in the proportions of cells from each strain within the blends. Control cultures were inoculated with bacteria present in Ž . freshl...

BACKGROUND Inbreeding depression is an important evolutionary factor, particularly when new habitats are colonized by few individuals. Then, inbreeding depression by drift could favour the establishment of later immigrants because their hybrid offspring would enjoy higher fitness. Rotifers are the only major zooplanktonic group where information on inbreeding depression is still critically scar...

The oomycete genus Aquastella is described to accommodate two new species of parasites of rotifers observed in Brooktrout Lake, New York State, USA. Three rotifer species--Keratella taurocephala, Polyarthra vulgaris, and Ploesoma truncatum--were infected, and this is the first report of oomycete infection in these species. Aquastella attenuata was specific to K. taurocephala and Aquastella acic...

Copepods have often improved larviculture of marine fish species that are not easily reared using rotifers. One such species is Glaucosoma hebraicum. G. hebraicum larvae were reared on a combined diet consisting of equal numbers of cultured copepod nauplii and rotifers and a diet of rotifers only. Growth was significantly greater in larvae fed with the combined diet. Survival was 37% in the cop...

Although numerous hypotheses exist to explain the overwhelming presence of sexual reproduction across the tree of life, we still cannot explain its prevalence when considering all inherent costs involved. The Red Queen hypothesis states that sex is maintained because it can create novel genotypes with a selective advantage. This occurs when the interactions between species induce frequent envir...

The diverse diets of common planktonic rotifers are described in detail from field and laboratory observations experiments. Also considered methodological approaches, rotifer feeding mechanisms, the availability natural waters less well-known food items (detritus, picoplankton, protozoans). Despite much variation among within genera, niches can be subdivided into four broad, overlapping categor...

The diversity and distribution of the rotifers family Notommatidae was studied in the northwest, the south and the southwest of Iran. In total, 29 species were identified, of which, 25 are new records for the country. New records include the following species: Cephalodella forficata, C. cf. mus, C. vittata, C. ventripes, C. lepida, C. inquilina, C. gibboides, C. tincaformis , C. obvia, C. stere...

The tropical and subtropical floodplain lakes are hypothesized as one of the globally interesting rotifer rich ecosystems. Our study indicating biodiverse Rotifera ten ‘slightly acidic to circum-neutral, moderately hard-water de-mineralized’ (beels) Majuli River Island Brahmaputra river basin northeast India mendorses this hypothesis. Total richness, richness important families community simila...