Genetic data has become an essential part of ecological studies, because the analyses of diversity within and among natural populations may grant access to previously overlooked ecological and evolutionary causalities, especially among cryptic species. Here, we present an example of how phylogenetic analysis of molecular data obtained within a DNA barcoding study, in combination with morphological and ecological data from the field and laboratory experiments, unraveled a striking predator-prey interaction between aquatic organisms. The "crown of thorns," a conspicuous morphological feature among water fleas of the Daphnia atkinsoni species complex (Crustacea: Cladocera), is considered to represent a species-specific trait. However, our study, initiated by the analysis of sequence variation in 2 mitochondrial genes, shows that this feature is phenotypically plastic and is induced by chemical cues released by Triops cancriformis, the tadpole shrimp (Notostraca). The trait acts as an effective antipredator defense, and is found in several Daphnia lineages coexisting with notostracans. These facts suggest that the "crown of thorns" evolved in coexistence with this ancient predator group.
- MeSH
- biologická evoluce MeSH
- biologické modely MeSH
- buněčný rodokmen MeSH
- Cladocera MeSH
- Daphnia anatomie a histologie fyziologie metabolismus MeSH
- ekologie MeSH
- fenotyp MeSH
- financování organizované MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mitochondriální DNA metabolismus MeSH
- modely anatomické MeSH
- potravní řetězec MeSH
- predátorské chování MeSH
- respirační komplex IV metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- MeSH
- biodegradace MeSH
- biotransformace MeSH
- chromatografie MeSH
- Daphnia metabolismus MeSH
- finanční podpora výzkumu jako téma MeSH
- hmyz MeSH
- juvenilní hormony chemie metabolismus toxicita MeSH
- karbamáty chemie metabolismus toxicita MeSH
- půdní mikrobiologie MeSH
- stereoizomerie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
