Selection of Optimal Culture Media for Developing Standard Ecological Toxicity Test Methods using Korean Freshwater Cladocera

The purpose of the current study was to develop a standard method to assess the ecological effect of pesticides using the representative Korean freshwater cladocerans. The indigenous cladocerans, Daphnia obtusa, Daphnia sp., Moina macrocopa, Simocephalus vetulus and Daphnia magna formally endorsed by the major international organizations were tested to select optimal culture media in laboratory condition. All of the Korean water flea tested showed good growth and fecundity in the moderately hard water ( ranged 80 to 100 mg ) and soft water ( ranged 40 to 48 mg ). However, considering that the total hardness of fresh water collected from 5 rivers ranged from 60.2 to 127.2 mg () and Ca deficiency could be a major determinant of species success and community structure among crustacean zooplankton, the present study suggests that the optimal water hardness for growing Daphnia sp., Daphnia obtusa, Moina macrocopa and Simocephalus vetulus is mg of .