Scanning Electron Microscope Stories II. The „Crown of Thorns“ Protects Small Crustaceans against an Ancient Enemy
2009
Abstract
Protection against predators is important for various groups of organisms. Thus not only specific behaviour, but also defence structures production are displayed, but often only under an acute threat.
The phenomenon is called phenotypic plasticity in anti-predatory mechanisms. The authors describe finding a similar induced mechanism, namely the appearance of thorns on the head, in the Daphnia atkinsoni species complex.
The water fleas protect themselves against tadpole shrimps, also known as shield shrimps