The significance of phosphorus in algae growth and the subsequent ecological response of consumers

Figures & data

Figure 1. Growth curve of S. obliquus under different P concentrations (Mean ± SE).

Table 1. The growth parameters of S. obliquus in different P concentration.

Group	V (μm^3)	μ	Ca (mg/L)	Cb (mg/L)
NP	23.13 ± 1.34^B	0.29 ± 0.03^C	0.34 ± 0.06^B	0.18 ± 0.06^A
LP	27.70 ± 1.87^B	0.36 ± 0.02^BC	0.36 ± 0.02^B	0.10 ± 0.01^A
MP	35.63 ± 1.63^A	0.43 ± 0.02^A	0.50 ± 0.03^A	0.16 ± 0.01^A
HP	34.63 ± 2.51^A	0.40 ± 0.01^AB	0.57 ± 0.01^A	0.18 ± 0.01^A

Note: V: cell volumes; μ: specific growth rate; Ca: chlorophyll a; Cb: chlorophyll b. Different capital letters (^A, ^B and ^C) in the same column indicated that there is a significant difference among the treatments.

Figure 2. Element ratio (C:N, C:P and N:P) of algae under different P concentrations. Different capital indicated a significant difference in element ratio.

Figure 3. The grazing and filtration rates of rotifers fed with different quality algae (Mean ± SE). Different capital and lowercase indicated a significant difference among the treatments.

Figure 4. Life history parameters of rotifers in response to different algae quality (Mean ± SE). (I) Duration of productive period; (II) Duration of average lifespan, life expectancy at hatching and generation time; (III) offspring productions; (IV) Intrinsic rate of population increase. Different capitals indicated significant difference among treated food groups (p < 0.05).

Figure 5. Age-specific survivorship (l_x, filled square) and fecundity (m_x, unfilled square) of R. rotatoria fed with different food quality of algae (Mean ± SE).