Plasticity in coloration as an antipredator strategy among zooplankton

Hege Vestheim; Stein Kaartvedt

doi:10.4319/lo.2006.51.4.1931

Plasticity in coloration as an antipredator strategy among zooplankton

Hege Vestheim^*, Stein Kaartvedt

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

We show that marine zooplankton change their level of coloration both with depth and time of the day. The carnivorous copepod Pareuchaeta norvegica caught near the bottom in 200-400-m deep-water columns were darker than specimens caught higher in the water column. A diel rhythm in coloration occurred even at several hundred meters' depth, with individuals caught during night time being more pigmented than the ones caught during the day. We hypothesize that individuals actively adjust their degree of coloration to achieve optimal camouflage at the prevailing light regime.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1931-1934
Number of pages	4
Journal	Limnology and Oceanography
Volume	51
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2006.51.4.1931
State	Published - Jul 2006
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Oceanography
Aquatic Science

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.4319/lo.2006.51.4.1931

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abstract = "We show that marine zooplankton change their level of coloration both with depth and time of the day. The carnivorous copepod Pareuchaeta norvegica caught near the bottom in 200-400-m deep-water columns were darker than specimens caught higher in the water column. A diel rhythm in coloration occurred even at several hundred meters' depth, with individuals caught during night time being more pigmented than the ones caught during the day. We hypothesize that individuals actively adjust their degree of coloration to achieve optimal camouflage at the prevailing light regime.",

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AU - Kaartvedt, Stein

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AB - We show that marine zooplankton change their level of coloration both with depth and time of the day. The carnivorous copepod Pareuchaeta norvegica caught near the bottom in 200-400-m deep-water columns were darker than specimens caught higher in the water column. A diel rhythm in coloration occurred even at several hundred meters' depth, with individuals caught during night time being more pigmented than the ones caught during the day. We hypothesize that individuals actively adjust their degree of coloration to achieve optimal camouflage at the prevailing light regime.

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Plasticity in coloration as an antipredator strategy among zooplankton

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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