title: Alona iheringula Sinev & Kotov, 2004 (Crustacea, Anomopoda, Chydoridae, Aloninae): life cycle and DNA barcode with implications for the taxonomy of the Aloninae subfamily.
abstract: Knowledge of reproductive rates and life cycle of the Cladocera species is essential for population dynamic studies, secondary production and food webs, as well as the management and preservation of aquatic ecosystems. The present study aimed to understand the life cycle and growth of Alona iheringula Kotov & Sinev, 2004 (Crustacea, Anomopoda, Chydoridae), a Neotropical species, as well as its DNA barcoding, providing new information on the Aloninae taxonomy. The specimens were collected in the dammed portion of the Cabo Verde River (21°26'05″ S and 46°10'57″ W), in the Furnas Reservoir, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Forty neonates were observed individually two or three times a day under controlled temperature (25±1°C), photoperiod (12 h light/12 h dark) and feeding (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata at a concentration of 105 cells.mL-1 and a mixed suspension of yeast and fish feed in equal proportion). Individual body growth was measured daily under optical microscope using a micrometric grid and 40× magnification. The species had a mean size of 413(±29) µm, a maximum size of 510 µm and reached maturity at 3.24(±0.69) days of age. Mean fecundity was 2 eggs per female per brood and the mean number of eggs produced per female during the entire life cycle was 47.6(±6.3) eggs per female. The embryonic development time was 1.79(±0.23) days and the maximum longevity was 54 days. The species had eight instars throughout its life cycle and four instars between neonate and primipara stage. The present study using molecular data (a 461 bp smaller COI fragment) demonstrated a deep divergence in the Aloninae subfamily.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Natureza, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Erika dos Santos
authors.initials: Edos S
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Natureza, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cínthia Bruno
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: de Abreu
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Natureza, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tereza Cristina
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Célio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wisniewski
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciências da Natureza, Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: dos Santos-Wisniewski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D033361:Cladocera / Q000145:classification* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D008018:Life Cycle Stages
chemical_list: D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV