THE REPRODUCTIVE-BIOLOGY OF MICTIC FEMALES IN BRACHIONUS-CALYCIFLORUS PALLAS

A study of egg volume, male net reproduction rate, lifespan, survivorship and length of the pre-reproductive, reproductive and post-reproductive periods with unfertilized mictic females of Brachionus calyciflorus was carried out in relation to food concentrations. The aim of the study was to determine the reproductive biology of mictic females under different food concentrations. The length of the reproductive period was similar under all food concentrations. At limited food concentration, the lifespan and survivorship increased due to the greater length of the prereproductive and post-reproductive periods. However, the reproductive investment of mictic females remained the same at non-limiting food concentrations. This was because egg volume production did not change along all food concentrations so it may not be affected by maternal diet. At non-limiting food conditions, the reproductive biology of mictic females was reduction of survivorship pattern due to high male reproduction rate in a few age classes. This rate usually remained the same as a response to ensure the perpetuation of the parents' genes.