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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications
Published on: January 19, 2018
Hierarchical Assessment of Mutation Properties in Daphnia magna
Sarah Eberle1, Djeneba Dezoumbe1, Rhegan McGregor1
1Lewis-Clark State College; Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Lewiston, ID 83501.
Abstract:
Understanding the context-dependence of spontaneous mutations is crucial to predicting evolutionary trajectories. In this experiment, the impact of genetic background and trait-type on mutational susceptibility was investigated. Mutant and non-mutant lines of six unique genotypes from two populations of Daphnia magna were phenotypically assayed using a common-garden experiment. Morphological, life-history, and behavioral traits were measured and estimates of the mutation parameters were generated. The mutation parameters varied between the populations and among genotypes, suggesting differential susceptibility to mutation depending upon genomic background. Traits also varied in their susceptibility to mutation with behavioral traits evolving more rapidly than life-history and morphological traits. These results may reflect the unique selection histories of these populations.
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