Invited review
Invited Review Chemical communication in planktonic animals
Larsson, Petter; Dodson, Stanley
Archiv für Hydrobiologie Volume 129 Number 2 (1993), p. 129 - 155
153 references
published: Dec 17, 1993
DOI: 10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/129/1993/129
ArtNo. ESP141012902000, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Plankton animals have been found to be sensitive to a number of chemical signals which can affect their life processes. In this review we consider chemical communication related to: feeding and chemical defenses, swarming, diel vertical migration, and morphology and life history changes. Some phytoplankton species, particularly among the cyanobacteria, seem to produce toxins which reduce zooplankton feeding rate, while only few animals species seem to be chemically protected from their predators. Chemical cues from predators and conspecifics have been shown experimentally to affect feeding rate, growth, morphology, reproduction and the spatial distribution of zooplankton in various ways. Alertness, escape responses and aggregation or dispersion can be induced chemically. Diel vertical migration, although induced by changes in light intensity, is strongly affected by chemical compounds released by predators. Morphological changes like formation of helmets, neck-spines and defensive structures can be induced by chemical signals from predators. Chemical signals from conspecifics and possibly predators are involved in the switch from asexual to sexual reproduction in cladocerans. The nature of the chemical signals is poorly understood, but the responses seem specific and several compounds are probably involved. Understanding chemical signals between organisms and how they cope with the "chemical noise" from surrounding organisms, is critical for understanding how aquatic communities work.
Keywords
diel vertical migration • swarming • neck-spines • cladocerans • chemical signals • sexual reproduction • aquatic communities