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Site created by: Allison M.
Smart Organism: Diaphanosoma
spp.
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Classification:
Kingdom:
Animalia Phylum:
Arthropoda Class:
Branchiopoda Order: Cladocera Family:
Sididae Genus:
Diaphanosoma |
 Figure 1. Diaphanosoma spp. preserved in a classic ventral view. |
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Anatomy:
Diaphanosoma is distinguished by having a compound eye in the middle
of its head. It has long second antenna with two branches. The body is
entirely covered by a carapace. They have many setae arrange in a row along
the large 2nd antennae. (Balcer et al 1984). The
most distinguishing characteristic of the Diaphanosoma is
the second antennae. Which are longer than the body and when preserved often
are sticking out to the side as in figure 1. The North American species have several distinguishing
characteristics including an elongated body without terminal shell spines.
They also have rounded heads and do not have a crest on their head. The
second antennae can reach the posterior margin of the carapace. (Balcer et al 1984) and Brooks
(1959). The females can grow between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm in the Great Lakes.
(Brooks 1959).
Distribution
and Habitat: The
distribution of Diaphanosoma is
from the Arctic Circle to the U.S. state of Louisiana in North America. It
can also be found in Europe, Asia. With some species being found in South and
Central America. With a species also being found in Africa. There are only
two species in the Great Lakes region. D.
birgei and D brachyurum. (Balcer et al 1984) Feeding
Ecology: Gliwicz (1969) found that Diaphanosoma is a filter feeding species and is able to intake particles up to 154 um. With a preference on chlorophytes and diatoms. Kerfoot (1991) states that smaller cladocerans including Diaphanosoma are able to show some selection for taste and some discrimination based on size.
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Life
History/Reproductive Growth: Diaphanosoma spp. usually
reproduces using parthenogenesis. Almost all Diaphanosoma are females unless they are specially created males
that are only created when a stimulus enters the aquatic system. When the
female Diaphanosoma receives a
stimulus signal in the system the Diaphanosoma
females will create diploid male eggs, which will hatch and then
fertilize haploid eggs from the females. These, eggs are specialized to hatch
only when conditions are right and are called ephippial eggs(Balcer et al 1984). For a diagram of the Reproductive growth of Diaphanosoma view figure 3. In
the Great Lakes this Genus is consumed by multiple species of fish including
largemouth bass and yellow perch. (Balcer et al 1984).
Figure 3. The Reproductive cycle of Diaphanosoma spp.
Figure 4. A lateral view of Diaphanosoma spp. |
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