Dietary Preference ofGammarus pulexandAsellus aquaticusduring a Laboratory Breeding Programme for Ecotoxicological Studies

Abstract

An investigation was undertaken to establish ifGammarus pulexandAsellus aquaticuspreferred a diet of unconditioned, artificially or naturally conditioned alder leaves (Alnus glutinosa). Standardised, 24 hourex situfeeding assays were undertaken with both species to determine their food preference. The results showed thatA. aquaticusate more leaf material compared toG. pulex(Z 23.909,P0.001) when exposed to all three test variables. Also, bothG. pulexandA. aquaticusdemonstrated a preference for naturally conditioned leaves compared to the other two variables, with unconditioned leaves proving the least popular food option for both macroinvertebrates (Z 18.803, ). However, both species ate varying amounts of all the leaf treatments (Z 136.399, ). Subsequently, the author outlined a feeding methodology for natural alder leaf conditioning that could be used during a laboratory breeding programme.