The life history of Branchinecta mackini Dexter (Crustacea: Anostraca) in an argillotrophic lake of Alberta
The life history of B. mackini was studied in a large argillotrophic lake during 1970–1972. Hatching began immediately after spring thaw and was terminated by rising salinity 10 days to 2 weeks later. Growth rates reached maxima of 1 mm/day at 4 weeks of age and then declined as mean size approached 22–23 mm at 7–8 weeks. Clutch sizes varied as a function of female length. Maximum biomass of 580 mg dry weight/m2 (2700 cal/m2) was reached in late May, of which 3.9% per day was consumed by B. gigas. Source of the energy is presumed to be a bacteria – organic matter complex associated with suspended particles. Life cycle details are compared with other fairy shrimp species and the role of B. mackini in the community is discussed.