Eco-evolutionary dynamics of antipredator defenses in temporally variable environments: an evolving metacommunity perspective.

Predation is a key process determining population and community structure. Predators are main drivers not only of ecological but also of evolutionary dynamics of prey populations. Variable presence of predators has led to evolution of a wide array of inducible antipredator defenses in a variety of taxa, involving behavioural as well as physiological, morphological and life history characteristics. Predator induced changes, in turn, may have an effect on the community assemblage and interaction of clones and species within the population and community. In this project I will study predator-prey interactions in an ancient predator (Triops cancriformis) and its zooplankton prey from Mediterranean wetlands with variable hydroperiod and connectivity. I will document inducible antipredator strategies in selected prey species (Daphnia and Chirocephalus) and contrast patterns of local adaptation among habitats with variable predator pressure, hydroperiod and connectivity. I will also study the feedback of microevolution in the prey species on predator-prey interactions and intra- (population level) and inter-specific (community level) competition. The proposed research is expected to yield important insights in the evolution of antipredator traits and its feedback on ecology within the framework of evolving metacommunities.

Keywords:Hydroperiod, Dispersal, Triops, Daphnia, Predation, Antipredator defenses, Metacommunities, Eco-evolutionary dynamics