Genotype-specific relationships among phosphorus use, growth and abundance in Daphnia pulicaria.

ABSTRACT: The framework ecological stoichiometry uses elemental composition of species to make predictions about growth and competitive ability in defined elemental supply conditions. Although intraspecific differences in stoichiometry have been observed, we have yet to understand the mechanisms generating and maintaining such variation. We used variation in phosphorus (P) content within a Daphnia species to test the extent to which %P can explain variation in growth and competition. Further, we measured ³³P kinetics (acquisition, assimilation, incorporation and retention) to understand the extent to which such variables improved predictions. Genotypes showed significant variation in P content, ³³P kinetics and growth rate. P content alone was a poor predictor of growth

SUBMITTER: Sherman RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5749992 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature