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Vertical migration in zooplankton as a predator avoidance mechanism 1
Author(s) -
Zaret Thomas M.,
Suffern J. Samuel
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1976.21.6.0804
Subject(s) - diel vertical migration , planktivore , predation , zooplankton , predator avoidance , predator , ecology , panama , biology , environmental science , fishery , phytoplankton , nutrient
Field data and laboratory feeding experiments support the hypothesis that predation can be an important factor in the adaptive significance of vertical migration among zooplankton. In both Gatun Lake in Panama and Fuller Pond in Connecticut the diel vertical migration patterns of prey populations assume distributions which result in lessened predation by the dominant lake planktivores. It is concluded that such patterns of vertical migration will result when prey populations are under intense, selective pressures from visually dependent predators.