Ecological genomics: Steps towards unraveling the genetic basis of inducible defenses in Daphnia

Abstract

Little is known about the genetic mechanisms underlying inducible defenses. Recently, the genome of Daphnia pulex, a model organism for defense studies, has been sequenced. Building on the genome information, recent preliminary studies in BMC Developmental Biology and BMC Molecular Biology have assessed gene response profiles in Daphnia under predation pressure. We review the significance of the findings and highlight future research perspectives.© 2010 Tollrian and Leese; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.