hresholds for growth in Daphnia magna with high and low phosphorus diets

Algae that have a low growth rate with a low mineral content are inferior foods for Daphnia growth, but these foods are not inferior for maintenance metabolism. The C per unit volume of low‐growth‐rate algal food necessary for zero body growth was similar to that of high‐growth‐rate food. Maintenance metabolism requires mainly energy, while body growth requires other essential substances; thus, they are separate influences of food quality.