Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

On the combined analysis of proximate and ultimate aspects in diel vertical migration (DVM) research

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Although evolutionary ecologists agree that proximate and ultimate aspects are two sides of one coin, they are seldom interested in studies on physiological and behavioural mechanisms at the base of ecological phenomena. Nevertheless, these mechanisms are objects of selection and evolved to realise adaptive significances. This paper is a plea to bring both fields closer together, and, by means of an example of Diel Vertical Migration of Daphnia, some proximate and ultimate aspects are discussed. It is argued that light changes, not fish kairomone, is the primary cause for an individual to swim downwards at dawn and upwards at dusk. However, what is called a causal factor might differ when ecosystems or individuals are studied. In addition, causality in ecology is not simple, and has the character of a `set of necessary conditions'. To illustrate the importance of proximate analyses in DVM, two basic response mechanisms are discussed: Photobehaviour system 1 and 2. The physiological character of these systems leads to a fixed type of migration or to a phenotypically induced DVM, respectively. The adaptive significance of the first might be a reduction of the hazardous effects of UV radiation and of the second a lowering of mortality due to visually hunting predators.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alcock, J., 1989. Animal Behavior. Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland: 1-596.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bollens, S. M., B. W. Frost & J. R. Cordell, 1994. Chemical, mechanical and visual cues in the vertical migration behavior of the marine planktonic copepod Acartia hudsonica. J. Plankton Res. 16: 555-564.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bottrell, H. H., A. Duncan, Z. M. Gliwicz, E. Grygierek & A. Herzig, 1976. A review of some problems in zooplankton production studies. Norw. J. Zool. 24: 419-456.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, G. L. 1932. Quantitative aspects of the change in phototropic signs in Daphnia. J. Exp. Biol. 9: 180-211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawidowicz, P. & C. J. Loose, 1992. Metabolic costs during predator-induced diel vertical migration of Daphnia. Limnol. Oceanogr. 37: 1589-1595.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawidowicz, P., J. Pijanowska & K. Ciechomski, 1990. Vertical migration of Chaoborus larvae is induced by the presence of fish. Limnol. Oceanogr. 35: 1631-1637.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Meester, L. & L. J. Weider, 1999. Depth selection behavior, fish kairomones, and the life histories of Daphnia hyalina ×galeata hybrid clones. Limnol. Oceanogr. 44: 1248-1258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dini, M. L., P. A. Soranno, M. Scheuerell & S. R. Carpenter, 1993. Effects of predators and food supply on diel vertical migration of Daphnia. In Carpenter, S. R. & J. F. Kitchell (eds), The Trophic Cascade in Lakes. New York: 153-171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dodson, S. I., 1988. The ecological role of chemical stimuli for the zooplankton: predator-avoidance behavior in Daphnia. Limnol. Oceanogr. 33: 1431-1439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiksen, O., 1997. Allocation patterns and diel vertical migration: modeling the optimal Daphnia. Ecology 78: 1446-1456.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forward, R. B., 1993. Photoresponses during diel vertical migration of brine shrimp larvae: effect of predator exposure. Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih. Ergebn. Limnol. 39: 37-44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haney, J. F., 1993. Environmental control of diel vertical migration behaviour. Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih. Ergebn. Limnol. 39: 1-17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwasa, Y., 1982. Vertical migration of zooplankton: a game between predator and prey. Am. Nat. 120: 171-180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krebs, C. J., 1972. Ecology. Harper & Row, New York: 1-694.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krebs, J. R. & N. B. Davies 1993. An Introduction to Behavioural Ecology. Blackwell, Science, Oxford: 1-420.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lima, S. L., 1998. Stress and decision making under the risk of predation: recent developments from behavioral, reproductive, and ecological perspectives. Adv. Stud. Beh. 27: 215-290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loose, C. J., 1993. Lack of endogenous rhythmicity in Daphnia diel vertical migration. Limnol. Oceanogr. 38: 1837-1841.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loose, C. J. & P. Dawidowicz, 1994. Trade-offs in diel vertical migration by zooplankton: The costs of predator avoidance. Ecology 75: 2255-2263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neill, W. E., 1990. Induced vertical migration in copepods as a defence against invertebrate predation. Nature 345: 524-525.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reede, T. & J. Ringelberg, 1998. Differential life history responses of several pelagic Daphnia clones differing in migratory behaviour. Aquat. Ecol. 32: 245-253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhode, S. C., M. Pawlowski & R. Tollrian, 2001. The impact of ultraviolet radiation on the vertical distribution of zooplankton of the genus Daphnia. Nature 412: 69-72.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ringelberg, J., 1991. Enhancement of the phototactic reaction in Daphnia hyalina by a chemical mediated by juvenile perch (Perca-fluviatilis). J. Plankton Res. 13: 17-25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringelberg, J., 1999a. The photobehaviour of Daphnia spp. as a model to explain diel vertical migration in zooplankton. Biol. Rev. Camb. Phil. Soc. 74: 397-423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringelberg, J., 1999b. The role of infochemicals in lake plankton crustacean behavior and predator-prey relations. In von Vaupel Klein, J. C. & F. R. Schram (eds), The Biodiversity Crisis and Crustacea. Proc. 4th crustacean congress, Amsterdam 1998. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam: 161-175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringelberg, J. & B. J. G. Flik, 1984. The mortality effect of ultraviolet radiation in a translucent and in a red morph of Acanthodiaptomus denticornis (Crustacea, Copepoda) and its possible ecological relevance. Hydrobiologia 112: 217-222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringelberg, J. & B. J. G. Flik, 1994. Increased phototaxis in the field leads to enhanced diel vertical migration. Limnol. Oceanogr. 39: 1855-1864.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringelberg, J., B. L. G. Flik, D. Lindenaar & K. Royackers, 1991. Diel vertical migration of Daphnia hyalina (sensu latiori) in Lake Maarsseveen: Part: 1. Aspects of seasonal and daily timing. Arch. Hydrobiol. 121: 129-145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruse, M., 1973. The Philosophy of Biology. Hutchinson University Library, London: 1-232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siebeck, O., T. L. Vail, C. E. Williamson, R. Vetter, D. Hessen, H. Zagarese, E. Little, E. Balseiro, B. Modenutti, J. Seva, & A. Shumate, 1994. Impact of UV-B radiation on zooplankton and fish in pelagic freshwater ecosystems. Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih. Ergebn. Limnol. 43: 101-114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spaak, P. & J. Ringelberg, 1997. Differential behaviour and shifts in genotype composition during the beginning of a seasonal period of diel vertical migration. Hydrobiologia 360: 177-185.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stirling, G. & D. A. Roff, 2000. Behaviour plasticity without learning: phenotypic and genetic variation of naive Daphnia in an ecological trade-off. Anim. Behav. 59: 929-941.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Gool, E., 1998. Diel vertical migration of Daphnia: an inquiry into mechanisms of phototactic behaviour. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 117 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Gool, E. & J. Ringelberg, 1997. The effect of accelerations in light increase on the phototactic downward swimming of Daphnia and the relevance to diel vertical migration. J. Plankton Res. 19: 2041-2050.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Gool, E. & J. Ringelberg, 1998. Light-induced migration behaviour of Daphnia modified by food and predator kairomones. Anim. Behav. 3: 741-747.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Gool, E. & J. Ringelberg, 2002. When to migrate: the mechanism of a daily habitat shift. Hydrobiologia (this volume).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. NIOO, Centre for Limnology, Rijksstraatweg 6, 3631 AC, Nieuwersluis, The Netherlands

    Joop Ringelberg

  2. Population Biology, IBED, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Erik Van Gool

Authors
  1. Joop Ringelberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Erik Van Gool
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ringelberg, J., Van Gool, E. On the combined analysis of proximate and ultimate aspects in diel vertical migration (DVM) research. Hydrobiologia 491, 85–90 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024407021957

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024407021957

Search

Navigation