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Heritable variation in carotenoid content in Daphnia magna
Author(s) -
Meester Luc De,
Beenaerts Natalie
Publication year - 1993
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.1993.38.6.1193
Subject(s) - carotenoid , daphnia magna , biology , daphnia , negative correlation , zoology , botany , crustacean , chemistry , toxicity , medicine , organic chemistry
Phenotypic variability in carotenoid content in a group of 28 Daphnia magna clones derived from two populations is shown to have a significant, albeit rather low, genetic component ( h R 2 = 0.23). To test the idea that pigmentation and vertical migration are two alternative mechanisms to reduce photodamage, we checked for a positive correlation between carotenoid content and phototactic behavior. Although no significant correlation was observed for the total group of clones, a significant and positive relation was found for the clones of one of the two populations. These results suggest that, in particular populations, depth during the day and carotenoid pigmentation can be co‐selected.