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Predator induced life-history shifts in a freshwater cladoceran

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Summary

Life-history theory predicts that maturity and resource allocation patterns are highly sensitive to selective predation. Under reduced adult survival, selection will favour genotypes capable of reproducing earlier, at a smaller size and with a higher reproductive effort. When exposed to water that previously held fish, (size selective predators which prefer larger Daphnia), individuals of Daphnia hyalina reproduced earlier, at a smaller size and had a higher reproductive investment. Hence the prey was able to switch its life history pattern in order to become less susceptible to predation by a specific predator. The cue that evokes the prey response is a chemical released by the predator.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Limnologie, Abteilung Ökophysiologie, Postfach 165, W-2320, Plön, Federal Republic of Germany

    Herwig Stibor

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  1. Herwig Stibor
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Stibor, H. Predator induced life-history shifts in a freshwater cladoceran. Oecologia 92, 162–165 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00317358

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00317358

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