Evolutionary biology mainly focus on ecological explanation of evolution. However, the evolutionary change in a population can directly or indirectly effect the ecosystem processes. Eco-evolutionary dynamics shows how change in species traits(e.g. color) effect the ecological role (e.g. grazing, leaf decomposition) through change in population dynamics (e.g. survival, growth ).
Asellus aquaticus is a common freshwater isopod mainly living in reed (Phragmites australis) habitat in lakes or ponds. In last two decades a new ecotype (chara) of A. aquaticus emerged in stonewort (Chara spp.) habitat in some Swedish lakes. Besides, Habitat Differentiation, chara ecotype has lighter pigmentation than reed ecotype.
This laboratory study examined :
The functional difference between two ecotypes (Chara & Reed) of Asellus aquaticus.
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Last updated:
06/15/11