The Influence of Temperature and Resource Level on the Fecundity of a Predatory Planktonic Mite, Piona exigua Viets

Piona exigua Viets is a predaceous freshwater mite that can potentially affect the population densities of its cladoceran prey. As part of a study of the effect of Piona exigua on its prey populations we measured the effects of water temperature and prey density on the lifespan, age at first reproduction and per capita egg production of adult female mites. Mites were raised in the laboratory at five prey (Ceriodaphnia, Daphnia) densities (5, 15, 30, 60, 120/l) at 15° C and at four temperatures (10, 15, 18, 22° C) at c. 60 prey/l. In response to increased food level, mites increased the number of eggs laid to reach a maximum at 60 prey/l, the rate at which they were laid increased and the pre-reproductive period was shorter. Low temperatures prolonged the pre-reproductive period. At temperatures above 10° C, food level and temperature had more influence on the timing of reproductive events (growth rate, oviposition rate, age at first reproduction) than on the size of females at first reproduction. When temperatures exceed 10° C and food levels exceed 5 prey/l the major scope for reproductive plasticity in Piona lies in the timing and duration of egg production.