Some aspects of the culture, population dynamics and reproductive rates of the freshwater rotifer, Brachionus calyciflorus fed selected diets

The effectiveness of using freshwater Chlorella, mixed algae, lettuce leaves and supplemental baker's yeast for the culture of freshwater rotifer, Brachionus calyciflorus were evaluated every two days for 18 days culture period. Rotifers raised without yeast attained maximum density of 100 - 152 inds.ml-1 after 6 days of culture before declining. Addition of baker's yeast improved and sustained rotifer populations. Rotifers raised on freshwater Chlorella and yeast attained a peak of 562 inds.ml-1 after 10 days of culture. The reproductive rates of rotifers ranged between 0.27 - 0.52. The relationship between reproductive rates and doubling time of rotifers are discussed. Key Words: Freshwater rotifer, Brachionus calyciflorus, culture, population dynamics. Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.19(2) 2004: 95-98