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Evolutionary change in metabolic rate of Daphnia pulicaria following invasion by the predator Bythotrephes longimanus
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  • varsha rani,
  • Matthew Walsh,
  • Tim Burton,
  • Sigurd Einum
varsha rani
Centre for Ecological Research

Corresponding Author:vysneha9@gmail.com

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Matthew Walsh
University of Texas at Arlington
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Tim Burton
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
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Sigurd Einum
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
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Abstract

Metabolic rate is a trait that may evolve in response to the direct and indirect effects of predator-induced mortality. Predators may indirectly alter selection by lowering prey densities and increasing resource availability or by intensifying resource limitation through changes in prey behaviour (e.g. use of less productive areas). In the current study we quantify evolution of metabolic rate in the zooplankton Daphnia pulicaria following an invasive event by the predator Bythotrephes longimanus in Lake Mendota, Wisconsin, US. This invasion has been shown to dramatically impact D. pulicaria, causing a ~60% decline in their biomass. Using a resurrection ecology approach, we compared the metabolic rate of D. pulicaria clones originating from prior to the Bythotrephes invasion with that of clones having evolved in the presence of Bythotrephes. We observed a 7.4% reduction in metabolic rate among post-invasive clones compared to pre-invasive clones, and discuss the potential roles of direct and indirect selection in driving this change.
12 Apr 2022Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
13 Apr 2022Submission Checks Completed
13 Apr 2022Assigned to Editor
20 Apr 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
01 May 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 May 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
Jun 2022Published in Ecology and Evolution volume 12 issue 6. 10.1002/ece3.9003