Temperature-dependent energy partitioning in the benthic copepods Acanthocyclops viridis and Macrocyclops albidus

Abstract

Energy acquisition and partitioning by the benthic copepods Acanthocyclops viridis (Jurine) and Macrocyclops albidus (Jurine) from Esthwaite Water in the English Lake District were investigated at a range of temperatures within the normal environmental range (5–20 °C), in animals fed an excess of the ciliated protozoan Paramecium caudatum. Feeding rate increased with elevated temperature, while longevity, development time, adult size, clutch size, and interclutch period decreased. Temperature had a marked effect on the pattern of energy partitioning into reproduction: increasing temperature moved the balance towards reproduction. The ecological implications of temperature-induced changes on the energetics of these copepods is discussed.