Thermal acclimation in the microcrustacean Daphnia: a survey of behavioural, physiological and biochemical mechanisms (original) (raw)
2004, Journal of Thermal Biology
Thermal acclimation in Daphnia magna was studied on various levels to test the recent ''oxygen-limited thermal tolerance'' hypothesis. Preference behaviour in a thermal gradient was determined by both, ambient temperature and corresponding oxygen concentration. Swimming activity depended on aerobic energy provision and reflected the match or mismatch of oxygen supply and energy demand at different ambient temperatures. Thermal acclimation modified both types of behaviour and more slightly heat tolerance. Perfusion and haemoglobin properties turned out to be central control variables to adapt oxygen transport to varying energy demands at different ambient temperatures. Exceptional advantages of Daphnia as an experimental model organism allowed to confirm on a behavioural, physiological and biochemical level that thermal acclimation is strongly based on the adaptation of oxygen transport allowing unidirectional shifts of the thermal tolerance range to warmer or colder temperatures.
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