Increased Variability in Temperature Impedes Predation Response
Increased Variability in Temperature Impedes Predation Response
Global change models forecast an increase in the variability of temperature. However, our understanding of the consequences of increased variability in temperature remains poorly studied.
In a recent paper published in PLOS One, Miguel and other colleagues from the University of Aveiro tackled this question and tested the hypothesis that increased variability in temperature impede responses to predation risk.
Using Daphnia magna, Miguel quantified changes in life history traits and on the development of inducible defenses, caused by increased variability in temperature.
The results of the study revealed that increased variability in temperature affects life history responses to predation. While under constant temperatures responses to predation threat evolved as expected, when temperature varied responses to predation risk were not detected. Moreover, increased variability in temperature disrupted the development of inducible defenses, a key trait in predation response. The results of this study give strong support to recent suggestions that increased variability in temperature poses a greater risk for species adaptation than that posed by a mean shift in temperature.
The full paper can be seen here.