Embryological aspects of inducible morphological defenses in Daphnia.

Laforsch, Christian and Tollrian, Ralph (2004) Embryological aspects of inducible morphological defenses in Daphnia. Journal of Morphology, 262 (3). pp. 701-707. ISSN 0362-2525

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Abstract

Many cases of predator-induced morphological plasticity in daphnids are well studied examples of inducible defenses. However, little is known about the early development of these sometimes conspicuous traits. We compared for the first time in five different Daphnia species the embryonic development of predator-induced and noninduced animals using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We observed significant morphological changes in the last embryonic stage in helmet formation in Daphnia cucullata and in neck-pedestal development in Daphnia pulex. In contrast, no morphological changes could be found during embryogenesis between induced and noninduced Daphnia lumholtzi, D. longicephala, and D. ambigua. Strategies for initiating the defensive traits differ among Daphnia species because of trade-offs between environmental requirements and developmental constraints. Some general features of Daphnia embryonic development are described using SEM. All Daphnia embryos have to shed at least three different membranes before leaving the brood pouch of the mother. After the embryos shed the third membrane, chemosensillae that are likely able to detect predator-released chemicals are exposed to the olfactory environment.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Morphology
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1300/1309
Subjects:
?? phenotypic plasticity • embryology • inducible defenses • daphnia • semdevelopmental biologyanimal science and zoologyqh301 biology ??
ID Code:
10671
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
22 Jul 2008 10:25
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 09:17