Class: Crustacea Order: Cladocera Family: Daphnidae Daphnia ambigua Scourfield Description: Plate 009a. Lateral view of Daphnia ambigua. Plate 009b. Head.

Class: Crustacea Order: Cladocera Family: Daphnidae

Daphnia ambigua Scourfield

Description:

Plate 009a. Lateral view of Daphnia ambigua.Plate 009b. Head of Daphnia ambigua showing compound eye and small spine of top of head.Plate 009c. Postabdomen comb and claw of Daphnia ambigua.Plate 009d. Female Daphnia ambigua carrying ephippium.Plate 009e. Daphnia ambigua carrying summer eggs in brood chamber.

Considered one of the smallest Daphnia species found the the United States, Daphnia ambigua is common throughout Florida and is found along the eastern coast from Maine to Mexico. It typically has a small spine on the top of its head, which may increase in size with increasing water temperatures. Usually found from November to June in Florida lakes and ponds. Produces ‘winter’ eggs called an ephippium. Summer eggs usually produced by cloning of females during parthenogensis.

Plate 009a. Lateral view of Daphnia ambigua.

Plate 009b. Head of Daphnia ambigua showing compound eye and small spine of top of head.

claw

comb

Plate 009c. Postabdomen comb and claw of Daphnia ambigua.

Ephippium

Plate 009d. Female Daphnia ambigua carrying ephippium.

Plate 009e. Daphnia ambigua carrying summer eggs in brood chamber.

eggs