The effect of γ-radiation on resting eggs and life cycle of cladoceran Moina macrocopa.

We investigated the effects of γ-irradiation on the survival of resting eggs of the cladoceran Moina macrocopa and on the parameters of the life cycle of neonates hatched from the irradiated eggs. It was shown that γ-irradiation in a wide range of doses (from the background level to 100 Gy) had no effect on survival of eggs and mortality of neonates hatched from the irradiated eggs. However, exceeding the absorbed dose of 40 Gy sharply decreased the reproductive potential of the neonates hatched from irradiated eggs.