SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1989
STP16827S

A Comparison of Seven Diets Used to Culture

Source

The objective of this study was to identify an appropriate diet for maintaining a healthy culture of the parthenogenetic chironomid, Tanytarsus dissimilis Johannsen. The effects of seven different diets were examined, including an alfalfa-based diet, an algal diet (Selenastrum capricornutum Printz), and various combinations of the two. A full life-cycle study was conducted for each diet. The studies lasted approximately 13 to 15 days. The critical endpoints examined were percent hatch, survival, and reproduction. Egg hatching in all cases was completed within the first 48 to 72 h of the test. Pupation and adult emergence occurred primarily on Days 11 through 12 and 13 through 14, respectively. The results of these studies indicated that the algae/alfalfa mix diets were the most adequate. Additionally, the 0.13 mg algae/0.2 mL alfalfa diet provided the best survival (92%) and reproduction (129.3 ± 14.1 eggs/adult). Generally, a successful diet would yield >80% survival consistently and approximately 120 eggs/adult.

Author Information

Gersich, FM
The Dow Chemical Co., Mammalian and Environmental Toxicology, Midland, MI
Milazzo, DP
The Dow Chemical Co., Mammalian and Environmental Toxicology, Midland, MI
Landenberger, BD
The Dow Chemical Co., Mammalian and Environmental Toxicology, Midland, MI
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Details
Developed by Committee: E47
Pages: 392–401
DOI: 10.1520/STP16827S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5088-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1253-7