Temperature-dependent energy partitioning in the benthic copepods <i>Acanthocyclops viridis</i> and <i>Macrocyclops albidus</i>

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.