Ecology and behaviour Daphnia species are normally r-selected, meaning that they invest in early reproduction, so have short lifespans. An individual Daphnia lifespan depends on factors such as temperature and the abundance of predators, but can be 13–14 months in some cold, oligotrophic, fish-free lakes. In typical conditions, however, the lifecycle is much shorter, not usually exceeding 5–6 months.
eCOloGY aNd beHAviour dapHnIA Species Are NorMAlly r-selected, mEANiNg that they iNvest in eArLy repROducTion, sO havE ShOrt LIfesPaNs. An indiViDUal dapHNia lifEspan dePendS on factORS such as TempErature and thE aBundaNCe of PReDators, but Can Be 13–14 moNThs in SoME COld, oLIGotrophic, fish-FreE Lakes. in TyPIcal condiTioNs, howEveR, the lifecyclE is Much shoRter, not uSUally eXcEEDinG 5–6 moNTHs.