Nonindigenous Occurrences: This species is considered a northern migrant into the Volga River, Saratov Reservoir, and the European part of Russia by spreading locally outside its native range via connected water bodies (Slynko et al. 2002; Popov 2011). First recorded in Iceland in 2012 but its native status is unclear (Novichkova et al. 2014).

Daphnia cristata feeds on particles in the water column, specifically phytoplankton that are suitable for their filtering capacity (Benzie 2005). Its abundance benefits from predation pressure; when there is high predation pressure from planktivorous fish, Daphnia cristata dominates the cladoceran community (Nyberg 1998; Amundsen et al. 2009). It has been suggested that Daphnia cristata is resistant to planktivorous fish predators (Hessen et al. 1995). Daphnia cristata defends itself by avoiding predators in space and exhibiting seasonal morphological changes when predator pressure increases (Pijanowska 1992). Evidence suggests that a predatory cladoceran Leptodora kindti feeds on Daphnia cristata and regulates their population in Lake Hiidenvesi (Uusitalo et al. 2003). However, larger individuals are more commonly consumed by pelagic fishes (Linløkken 2021). In autumn, Daphnia cristata is one of the dominant dietary components of smelt Osmerus eperlanus (Sterligova and Illmast 2017).

Daphnia cristata is capable of parthenogenesis (Petrusek et al. 2005). Daphnia cristata reproduces sexually under harsh environmental conditions and produces ephippia that are highly resistant (Benzie 2005).

Potential pathway(s) of introduction: Transoceanic shipping (ballast water).

Daphnia cristata is predicted to have potential for introduction to the Great Lakes via ballasts of vessels as well as ships that declare “No Ballast on Board” (Grigorovich et al. 2003). In general, this species does not tolerate a wide range of adverse conditions, but it has been found in residual water from a ship that entered the Great Lakes basin (Duggan et al. 2005; Wonham et al. 2005). In a study of no-ballast-on-board vessels that sampled less than 2% of ship ballast tanks entering the Great Lakes, this species occurred at low frequency and abundance (Duggan et al. 2005; Johengen et al. 2005). In addition, this species is capable of producing ephippia eggs that are resistant to harsh conditions (Benzie 2005) such as ballast tanks and ballast sediment. It has been reported that Daphnia cristata has a high risk of introduction to the Great Lakes (Grigorovich et al. 2003). Daphnia cristata does not currently occur near waters connected to the Great Lakes basin.

Daphnia cristata has a moderate probability of establishment if introduced to the Great Lakes (Confidence level: High).

Ponto-Caspian cladoceran identified as having high probability of invasion if introduced to the Great Lakes (Grigorovich et al. 2003; U.S. EPA 2008).

Daphnia cristata is widely distributed in temperate regions in Europe and Asia (Benzie 2005). The native range of this species, the Ponto-Caspian basin, has a similar climate to the Great Lakes (U.S. EPA 2008). The Great Lakes exhibit seasonality and similar stratification as its native range (NOAA 2005). Daphnia cristata may be capable of overwintering in the Great Lakes basin; it naturally occurs in waters that are 0-3°C and can tolerate waters with low oxygen levels (Rivier 2005). This species has the potential to tolerate pollution in the Great Lakes; in Finland and Poland, this species is present in eutrophic lakes (Horppila et al. 2000; Kalinowska et al. 2019). It has been suggested that Daphnia cristata is released from ships that enter the Great Lakes in low number and frequency, so its potential for establishment may be somewhat limited (Duggan et al. 2005; Johengen et al. 2005).

Daphnia cristata is likely to find a food source in the Great Lakes. It feeds on phytoplankton (Benzie 2005). Daphnia cristata may be resistant to predation by fish and benefits from high predation pressure (Hessen et al. 1995). It can avoid predation by planktivorous fish by avoiding predators in space and changing its morphology in times of high predation pressure (Pijanowska 1992). This species benefits from the presence of planktivorous fish that eat other cladocerans (Nyberg 1998; Amundsen et al. 2009). Daphnia cristata is among the most abundant cladoceran in Lake Hiidenvesi, Finland, making up 38-88% of the cladoceran biomass (Tallberg et al. 1999; Alajärvi and Horppila 2004). Evidence suggests that a predatory cladoceran Leptodora kindti feeds on Daphnia cristata and regulates their population in Lake Hiidenvesi (Uusitalo et al. 2003). Leptodora kindti is also found in the Laurentian Great lakes (Barbiero et al. 2001); thus, Leptodora kindti may limit the establishment of Daphnia cristata in the Great Lakes, if introduced.

The ability of Daphnia cristata for parthenogenesis may facilitate its establishment, especially if only females get introduced to the Great Lakes (Petrusek et al. 2005). It reproduces sexually in harsh conditions, producing ephippia that are highly resistant (Benzie 2005). This species is able to expand its distribution by migrating from lakes to connected reservoirs (Mordukhai-Boltovskoi 1979).

Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...

Environmental	Beneficial

In a literature review, Matitsky et al. (2014) was unable to find any information pertaining to D. cristata hosting high impact parasites. Daphnia cristata is not a strong competitor for resources but can withstand predation pressure better than other cladocerans. Whenever large predation pressure is present, D. cristata is the dominant or one of the dominant cladocerans. When this pressure is removed, larger species of cladocerans prevail (Nyberg 1998; Amundsen et al. 2009). As such, it contributed to 5–10% of total zooplankton biomass in some Polish lakes with numerous fish predators (Karpowicz et al. 2020). Abundance of D. cristata increased by more than an order of magnitude during a period of anthropogenic eutrophication in Kondopoga Bay in Lake Onego, Russia (Timakova et al. 2014). Thus, it may outcompete other species in increasingly eutrophic systems.

There is little or no evidence to support that Daphnia cristata has the potential for significant socio-economic impact if introduced to the Great Lakes.

It has not been reported that Daphnia cristata poses a threat to human health or water quality. There is no evidence that this species negatively impacts infrastructure, economic sectors, recreational activities and associated tourism, or the aesthetic appeal of the areas it inhabits.

Daphnia cristata has the potential for moderate beneficial effects if introduced to the Great Lakes.

Its diet may include toxic algae (Benzie 2005). It may be able to remove a negligible amount of toxic algae. Larger individuals are commonly consumed by pelagic fishes (Linløkken 2021). When predation pressure from planktivorous fish is high, the abundance of Daphnia cristata increases (Nyberg 1998; Amundsen et al. 2009). If fish predation removes a large portion of phytoplankton consumers from the water body, it may result in an increase in chlorophyll concentration and an algal bloom (Andersson et al. 1978). The increase in abundance of Daphnia cristata during times of high predation pressure may replace the loss of phytoplankton consumers and suppress an algal bloom to some extent.

*Ballast water regulations applicable to this species are currently in place to prevent the introduction of nonindigenous species to the Great Lakes via shipping. See Title 33: Code of Federal Regulations, Part 151, Subparts C and D (33 CFR 151 C) for the most recent federal ballast water regulations applying to the Great Lakes and Hudson River.

Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.

Control

Biological
There are no known biological control methods for this species.

Physical
There are no known physical control methods for this species.

Chemical
There are no chemical control methods for this species.

Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.