Comparative population growth of Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia pulex (Cladocera) exposed to zinc toxicity

Population growth of two cladocerans (Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia pulex) exposed to 4 different concentrations of ZnCl(2) (0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg L(-1), plus controls) at one algal food (Scenedesmus acutus) density (0.5 X 10(6) cells mL(-1)) was quantified for 30 days. Population densities of C. dubia and D. pulex decreased with increasing concentration of Zn in the medium. At a concentration of 1 mg L(-1) of ZnCl(2), both C. dubia and D. pulex did not reproduce and died within a week. The peak population densities of C. dubia ranged from 0.2 to 6.0 ind. mL(-1), depending on the Zn level in the medium, whereas this range was lower for D. pulex (0.2 to 4.1 ind. mL(-1)). The peak population density was inversely related to the Zn concentration. The rate of population increase (r) varied from -0.12 to +0.14 and -0.02 to +0.23 per day for C. dubia and D. pulex, respectively, depending on the Zn level in the medium. Statistically, both the peak population density and the r were significantly affected by the heavy metal concentration in the medium. Multiple comparison tests showed that the rate of population increase (r) of D. pulex in the lowest ZnCl(2) level (0.125 mg L(-1)) was significantly higher than controls. However, under similar conditions, the r of C. dubia was significantly lower than controls. With a further increase in Zn level, the growth rates of both the cladoceran species were significantly reduced as compared to controls. The results are discussed in relation to published data on the toxicity of zinc to freshwater zooplankton.