Growth and development time of subtropical Cladocera Diaphanosoma birgei Korinek, 1981 fed with different microalgal diets.

The aim of this work was to investigate the growth performance of Diaphanosoma birgei fed with two Chlorophyceae algae, Ankistrodesmus gracilis and Haematococcus pluvialis using monoalgal diets and simpler mixed diets. D. birgei was daily fed on four treatments: 1) 100% Ankistrodesmus gracilis (Ag); 2) 100% Haematoccocus pluvialis (Hp); 3) 25% A. gracilis + 75% H. pluvialis (Ag-25+Hp-75) and 4) 75% A. gracilis + 25% H. pluvialis (Ag-75+Hp-25). The fecundity curve of D. birgei showed that the mixed feed Ag-25+Hp-75 and temperature 24±2°C triggered fast fecundity at approximately two days. The fecundity was low when based only on H. pluvialis (Hp), albeit with greater longevity (19 days) and a higher number of broods (8). D. birgei fed on Ag and Ag-75+Hp-25 diets in this experiment sustained higher growth rate and higher lipid content in these treatments. The present study showed that A. gracilis diet and mixed microalgae diets tested were able to support the egg production and development of D. birgei.