The ecology and evolution of inducible defenses: Daphnia as model system

The fascinating ability of organisms to estimate their predation risk, based on chemical cues released by predators, and to form adequate defenses against these predators only when the defenses are needed, has been reported from unicellular organisms to vertebrates. Even the specific immune system of vertebrates can be regarded as an inducible defense system. While protecting the individual, inducible defenses bear the potential of influencing population dynamics and food webs. E.g., defenses have been found to dampen predator-prey oscillations and to facilitate successful invasions.

Despite their relevance not much is known about the internal pathways oft the defense formation. Daphnia developed into a model system for this kind of research. I will review the system and present new results.