Vulnerability of branchiopod cysts to crushing

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Hathaway, S. A.; Sheehan, D. P.; Simovich, M. A.

Source:

Journal of Crustacean Biology, Brill on behalf of The Crustacean Society, Volume 16, Issue 3, p.448-452 (1996)

Call Number:

A96HAT01IDUS

URL:

http://www.jstor.org/stable/1548734

Keywords:

Branchinecta, branchiopods, Lepidurus, Linderiella, Streptocephalus, SWAP, Thamnocephalus, Triops

Abstract:

Ephemeral wetlands, such as vernal pools and playas, have become increasingly threatened by a variety of destructive human practices, including off-highway vehicle (OHV) activity. Among the resident animals that may be adversely affected are the branchiopod crustaceans which produce desiccation-resistant cysts to withstand the pools' dry periods. We report a quantitative investigation of the force required to crush individual branchiopod cysts of 8 species: Branchinecta lynchi, B. sandiegonensis, B. mackini, Streptocephalus woottoni, Thamnocephalus platyurus, Linderiella occidentalis, Lepidurus lemmoni, and Triops longicaudata. Very small forces of less than 1 newton crushed dry cysts. Wet cysts were even more fragile; many were crushed under less than 7 X 10-2 [-2 being superscript] newtons. Differences in vulnerability were found within and between taxa and may be related to cyst morphology. Knowledge of these effects should be taken into consideration when developing management strategies for ephemeral wetlands.

Notes:

ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology

SWAP (2/19/2016) citation:
Hathaway SA, Sheehan DP, Simovich MA. 1996. Vulnerability of branchiopod cysts to crushing. [accessed 2016 Feb 13]; Journal of Crustacean Biology. 16(3):448–452. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1548734.