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Behavioural and genetic differences in populations of Daphnia subjected to different levels of predation
Author(s) -
YOUNG STEPHEN,
WATT PENELOPE J.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2427.1994.tb01141.x
Subject(s) - daphnia , biology , predation , daphnia magna , ecology , predator , cladocera , branchiopoda , diel vertical migration , zoology , zooplankton , chemistry , organic chemistry , toxicity
SUMMARY 1. Predictions based on a genetic control mechanism for vertical migration were tested by monitoring the vertical migration behaviour of electro‐phoretically distinct clones of Daphnia longispina and Daphnia magna collected from ponds with different levels of predation. 2. The number of predator species in a pond (a measure of predation) had a significant effect on the vertical migration behaviour of the clones found within that pond, and a phenogram constructed on the basis of the percentage dissimilarity between the genotypes of the clones indicated that clones from the same site were more closely related genetically than clones from different sites. 3. There were significantly different vertical migration behaviour patterns between clones from different sites and between‐site variation in behaviour was significantly greater than that found within a site. 4. Clones differed in the average depth they maintained in the waterbody regardless of the pond from which they were collected, but clones from the same site did have similar behavioural profiles suggesting a tendency to show the same behavioural patterns. 5. These findings, which support predictions based on a genetic control mechanism, are discussed in relation to phenotypically plastic mechanisms of vertical migration control widely reported in the literature.