How do Daphnia avoid predators?

Daphnia are also able to avoid predators in a process called cyclomorphosis in which they change their size and shape in order to be a less suitable foodsource. Their size is often predator specific as they become larger or smaller to avoid consumption by the many types of fish which use Daphnia as their primary food.

What are the predators of Daphnia?

Typical predators for Daphnia are the phantom midge larvae Chaoborus, the heteropteran Notonecta sp. or small fishes26,27,28. In the presence of fish predators, Daphnia react with an earlier sexual maturity, an increased fecundity and the production of resting eggs26,29,30.

What are Daphnia and what defenses do they have against predators?

Daphnia may respond with an array of anti-predator defences (behavioural, morphological and life history) to a chemical cue (kairomone) exuded by its predators: fish and Chaoborus. The migration behaviour against fish kairomone in these clones was often an unexpected upward migration.

What visual cues do Daphnia respond to?

Moreover, Daphnia, with a visual orientation mechanism to keep its body axis vertical and a compound eye ca- pable of distinguishing top light and side light, is in a position to use such a cue.

Are Daphnia asexual?

The life cycle of Daphnia during the growth season is characterized by its asexual mode of reproduction (apomixis) (Figure 2.9). A female produces a clutch of parthenogenetic (amictic) eggs after every adult molt (if feeding conditions permit).

How quickly do Daphnia reproduce?

#2 – Daphnia Reproduce Every 8 Days It only takes eight days for a baby Daphnia to grow to maturity and begin breeding. Each Daphnia has ten babies.

How do Daphnia protect themselves?

Daphnia are tiny crustaceans that live primarily in freshwater. Their common name, water flea, comes from their jerky swimming movements and flea-like shape. Daphnia defenses work by making it harder for these predators to eat them.

How do Daphnia reproduce?

Daphnia (Cladocera) exhibit two types of reproductive modes: asexual and sexual. Asexual reproduction is performed under favorable conditions such as low predation pressure and adequate food, and through this reproductive mode, adult females produce clones (both females and males) of themselves without mating [1].

Do daphnia clean water?

Daphnia are such great water cleaners that they can clean up lots of gallons in a matter of two days. So, don’t be afraid to add lots of food yeast and spirulina. They will eat a lot! The smaller the tank, the less green water you will see because the Daphnia clean it up so fast.