First record of epibiosis between the rotifer Brachionus urceolaris Müller, 1773 and the cladoceran Moina minuta Hansen, 1899 in Brazilian continental waters

Pablo Henrique dos Santos Picapedra; Cleomar Fernandes; Gilmar Baumgartner

doi:10.1590/S2179-975X7226

Short Research Note

First record of epibiosis between the rotifer Brachionus urceolaris Müller, 1773 and the cladoceran Moina minuta Hansen, 1899 in Brazilian continental waters

Primeiro registro de epibiose entre o rotífero Brachionus urceolaris Müller, 1773 e o cladócero Moina minuta Hansen, 1899 em águas continentais brasileiras

Pablo Henrique dos Santos Picapedra; Cleomar Fernandes; Gilmar Baumgartner

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X7226 Acta Limnol. Bras. (Online), vol.38, e22, 2026

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Abstract

Epibiosis between rotifers and cladocerans is a facultative association that has been documented in several regions worldwide; however, to date, there have been no formal records for Brazilian inland waters. Herein, we report the first occurrence of epibiosis between the rotifer Brachionus urceolaris and the cladoceran Moina minuta in Brazil. The record was obtained during quarterly analyses conducted as part of the monitoring programme of the Mogi-Guaçu small hydropower plant and its area of influence in the Mogi Guaçu River, in the state of São Paulo, with the association observed in the tributary Peixe River in March 2026. A total of 16 individuals of M. minuta were recorded, of which 5 (31.2%) were infested by B. urceolaris, with infestation intensity ranging from 1 to 10 rotifers per host. Additionally, 227 individuals of B. urceolaris were recorded, of which 22 (9.7%) were attached to M. minuta. Other microcrustaceans present in the sample did not exhibit epibiosis, suggesting possible host specificity. The apparent preference for M. minuta, the restriction of the occurrence to a single sampling event and its association with environmental conditions characterised by eutrophication, high turbidity and the presence of potential predators may provide new insights into the ecology of this interaction. Therefore, continuous monitoring and examining correlations with environmental variables are of fundamental importance for elucidating the factors that may trigger the occurrence of this form of epibiosis.

Keywords

epizoic association; freshwater; host; phoresy; zooplankton

Resumo

A epibiose entre rotíferos e cladóceros é uma associação facultativa que tem sido documentada em diversas regiões do mundo; entretanto, até o momento, não havia registros formais para águas continentais brasileiras. Neste trabalho, relatamos a primeira ocorrência de epibiose entre o rotífero Brachionus urceolaris e o cladócero Moina minuta no Brasil. O registro foi obtido durante análises trimestrais realizadas como parte do programa de monitoramento da Pequena Central Hidrelétrica Mogi-Guaçu e de sua área de influência no rio Mogi Guaçu, no estado de São Paulo, sendo a associação observada no afluente rio do Peixe, em março de 2026. Um total de 16 indivíduos de M. minuta foram registrados, dos quais 5 (31,2%) estavam infestados por B. urceolaris, com intensidade de infestação variando de 1 a 10 rotíferos por hospedeiro. Adicionalmente, foram registrados 227 indivíduos de B. urceolaris, dos quais 22 (9,7%) estavam aderidos a M. minuta. Outros microcrustáceos presentes na amostra não apresentaram epibiose, sugerindo possível especificidade de hospedeiro. A aparente preferência por M. minuta, a restrição da ocorrência a um único evento de amostragem e sua associação com condições ambientais caracterizadas por eutrofização, alta turbidez e presença de potenciais predadores podem fornecer novos insights sobre a ecologia dessa interação. Portanto, o monitoramento contínuo e as análises correlacionando variáveis ambientais são de fundamental importância para elucidar os fatores que podem desencadear a ocorrência dessa forma de epibiose.

Palavras-chave

associação epizóica; água doce; hospedeiro; forésia; zooplâncton

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Submitted date:
22/06/2026

Accepted date:
13/08/2026

Publication date:
04/09/2026

First record of epibiosis between the rotifer Brachionus urceolaris Müller, 1773 and the cladoceran Moina minuta Hansen, 1899 in Brazilian continental waters

Primeiro registro de epibiose entre o rotífero Brachionus urceolaris Müller, 1773 e o cladócero Moina minuta Hansen, 1899 em águas continentais brasileiras

Pablo Henrique dos Santos Picapedra; Cleomar Fernandes; Gilmar Baumgartner

Abstract

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