Population genomics of resource exploitation: insights from gene expression profiles of two Daphnia ecotypes fed alternate resources.

ABSTRACT: Consumer-resource interactions are a central issue in evolutionary and community ecology because they play important roles in selection and population regulation. Most consumers encounter resource variation at multiple scales, and respond through phenotypic plasticity in the short term or evolutionary divergence in the long term. The key traits for these responses may influence resource acquisition, assimilation, and/or allocation. To identify relevant candidate genes, we experimentally assayed genome-wide gene expression in pond and lake Daphnia ecotypes exposed to alternate resource environments. One was a simple, high-quality laboratory diet, Ankistrodesmus falcatus. The other was the complex natural seston from a large lake. In temporary ponds, Daphnia generally experience high-quality

SUBMITTER: Dudycha JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3298946 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature