Predator-induced allometric changes in the tail spine length of<i>Daphnia</i>: a distinct resource allocation strategy

Abstract Understanding resource allocation strategies underlying inducible defense is a challenging scientific issue, because of the difficulty in measuring allocations defensive traits. We examined allometric changes to evaluate on tail spine Daphnia within and between species further explore at different developmental stages their relationship with growth reproduction. found that four (Daphnia magna, sinensis, galeata mitsukuri) can perform significant responses when exposed fish kairomone. Different from other species, D. mitsukuri significantly enhanced slope its also among clones are adult individuals. Furthermore, show negative interaction individual growth, indicating trade-off may exist elongation growth. This study highlights species-specific provides an explanation for this allocations.