Ecological differences among clones of Daphnia pulex Leydig

Abstract

Natural populations of Daphnia pulex that reproduce by obligate parthenogenesis include a number of clones. Studies on two common and two rare clones from southwestern Ontario revealed significant differences in their intrinsic rates of increase, competitive abilities, rates of ephippial egg production, and lifespans. Environmental factors such as temperature and food type had large inluences on the rate of increase of each clone. Differences in rates of increase among clones were most pronounced at temperatures higher than those encountered in nature. In general, the covariance of life history traits among clones was high. The outcome of competitive encounters between clones was deterministic and in most cases was unaffected by temperature. Clones with high rates of increase tended to be better competitors than those with low rates of increase.