Daphnia magna is a keystone species of freshwater ecosystems, and its life-history traits have long been studied from an environmental perspective; however, the genetic determinants of these traits remain poorly defined. We asked whether genome maintenance pathways shape life-history traits such as growth, fecundity, and lifespan. Using CRISPR–Cas9, we generated loss-of-function mutants of ku70 and lig4 , two core components o...

Reclaimed wastewater is increasingly reused for irrigation and other non‐potable applications; however, inadequately treated effluent has raised concerns regarding environmental and public health impacts. Water quality in reclaimed distribution systems is shaped by multiple factors, particularly hydraulic stagnation in pipes and storage reservoirs. Stagnation can alter microbial community stability and facilitate persistence o...