 |
||||
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
||||
      |
Great Lakes Water Life Photo GalleryZooplankton - WaterfleasCladoceran Field GuideDaphnia Species |
Daphnia SpeciesFor morphological terms see: Cladocera Anatomy Eight Daphnia species inhabit the Great Lakes. Fine features of the carapace, head, 2nd antennae, and postabdomen are used to distinguish among species - necessitating use of a high-powered light microscope at a minimum. Some species vary considerably in the shape and length of helmet and tail spines, making these less reliable indicators of species. Unique features highlighted in green. |
||
|
Postabdominal claw with proximal and median teeth approximately
the same size as the distal. Head usually rounded. No ocellus.
Setae of the 2nd antennae reach beyond the
posterior margin of the carapace. Shell spine >1/3 carapace
length. 0.8-1.2mm.
|
Postabdominal claw with proximal and median teeth
approximately the same size as the distal. Head (helmet) peaks near
the midline of the body. Ocellus. Setae of the 2nd antennae do not
reach the posterior margin of the carapace. Shell spine >1/3
carapace length. 1.3-3.0mm.
Daphnia galeata Common 
|
|
|
Postabdominal claw with median teeth approximately
twice the length of the distal. Head (helmet) peaks midline to
dorsal. No ocellus. Setae of the 2nd antennae do not reach
the posterior margin of the carapace. Shell spine >1/3 carapace
length. 1.2-1.8mm.
|
||
|
Postabdominal claw with median teeth more than 3 times the length
of the distal. Front of head concave. Ocellus. Shell spine <1/3
carapace length. 1.3-2.2mm.
|
Postabdominal claw with proximal and median teeth
approximately the same size as the distal. Front of head concave.
May or may not have a helmet (point). Ocellus. Setae of the 2nd
antennae do not reach the posterior margin of the carapace. Shell
spine <1/3 carapace length. <1mm.
Daphnia ambigua Uncommon   |
|
|
Postabdominal claw with median teeth more than 3 times the length
of the distal. Head rounded at apex. Ocellus. Shell spine >1/3
carapace length.1.2-2.0mm.
|
Postabdominal claw with median teeth approximately
twice the length of the distal. Front of head concave (pugnosed).
Head usually rounded (without a helmet). No ocellus. Shell spine
<1/3 carapace length. 0.75-1.0mm.
Daphnia parvula Rare  
|
|
Photos Courtesy of:
The
Cladoceran Website - University of Guelph, Canada
Southwest
Missouri State University Zooplankton Project
UK-Microscopy
Indicates
a link to a non-GLERL NOAA website.Indicates
a link to a non-NOAA website or content not generated by NOAA. NOAA is not
responsible for the accuracy of content. Please check Privacy and Use Policies
of the destination site.NOAA | DOC | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Accessibility Statement |