The challenge of life history traits: a small cladoceran, Ceriodaphnia rigaudi

Using accurate and precise species-specific parameters in mechanistic models can lead to better predictions of population dynamics and ecosystem function (e.g. nutrient cycling) across a range of environmental conditions. Zooplankton are important in the aquatic food web and for nutrient cycling but are highly diverse, and there is only limited information on specific species. Knowledge of species-specific attributes is patchy. In particular, tropical species are underrepresented in this regard. Here, we gather all the known information about a wide-spread tropical zooplankton member, Ceriodaphnia rigaudi, and add new information from lab and field experiments. We determine feeding rate across a range of food concentrations and food-dependent population growth rate of C. rigaudi. Additionally, we use 16 years of occurrence data from rock pools in Jamaica to explore environmental characteristics of the habitat in which C. rigaudi live. We compare our data to worldwide records of the species attributes and create a reference map of its occurrence.