Adaptive significance of color polymorphism in two species of Diaptomus (copepoda)

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1979.24.1.0015· OSTI ID:6947154

Hairston, Jr, N G

In the Lower Grande Coulee, Washington, Diaptomus nevadensis in Soap Lake contains larger amounts of the carotenoid astaxanthin than in Lake Lenore. During winter, Diaptomus sicilis contains larger amounts of pigment in both lakes, but in summer individuals from Lake Lenore are much reduced in pigment while those from Soap Lake are unchanged. Seasonal variations in copepod carotenoid content did not correspond with variations in total lipid content. Algal abundance was measured by chlorophyll a and plant carotenoids correlated with copepod carotenoids only in the case of D. nevadensis in Soap Lake. The percent of D. nevadensis guts containing algae was correlated with their pigment content in both lakes. Visually oriented predators, such as damselfly nymphs from both lakes and salamander larvae from Lake Lenore, selected red copepods, but few predators from Lake Lenore contained D. nevadensis. Since members of this species were rare, the probability of finding a predator that had consumed one was low. When fed identical diets, copepods from Lake Lenore were a fifth to a thirtieth as efficient at assimilating carotenoid as those from Soap Lake. This supports the hypothesis that the pigment differences are the result of natural selection. Selective predation is implicated as the explanation for the small amounts of pigment in Lake Lenore copepods.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston
• OSTI ID: 6947154
• Journal Information: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States), Journal Name: Limnol. Oceanogr.; (United States) Vol. 24:1; ISSN LIOCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABUNDANCE
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ARTHROPODS
BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION
BIOLOGY
CAROTENOIDS
COPEPODS
CRUSTACEANS
HYDROCARBONS
INVERTEBRATES
LAKES
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
PIGMENTS
PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SURFACE WATERS
TERPENES
USA
VARIATIONS
WASHINGTON