Rapid evolution of phenoloxidase expression, a component of innate immune function, in a natural population of Daphnia magna

Abstract

We show rapid microevolution of one component of invertebrate innate immunity, phenoloxidase activity, in a natural population of the water flea Daphnia magna . In Daphnia hatched out of different depths of a sediment core, levels of Daphnia phenoloxidase activity showed genetic variation and increased significantly in less than a decade. We discuss this increase in Daphnia immunity over time in the light of coinciding changes in predator and parasite environment. Together with earlier‐found microevolutionary responses in stress protein expression of this Daphnia population, we find simultaneous changes of different defense systems in response towards multiple enemies.

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