GROWTH AND REPRODUCTIVE RESPONSES OF DAPHNIA TO CYANOBACTERIAL BLOOMS ON THE POTOMAC RIVER

We examined reproductive responses of the cladoceran Daphnia parvula to algal assemblages from the Potomac River, during and after Cyanobacterial blooms. Algal assemblages were manipulated by filtration, dilution, or additions of nutritious algae, in order to determine causes for growth inhibition. There was no evidence for lethal toxic effects or food limitation of population growth rates during the algal bloom, although growth was food limited later in the year. However, growth rates were lower in the experiment conducted during the Cyanobacteria bloom than in later experiments, and the results suggest an inhibitory factor associated with the particulate material. Results from filtered treatments indicate that picoplankton present in hypereutrophic waters can support Daphnia growth and reproduction.