Daphnia (Daphnia sp.) in water ecosystems form a trophic link between phytoplankton and planktophagous fish and predatory invertebrates. Vendace (Coregonus albula) is a planktophagous fish, has co-evolved with daphnia in lakes, and they are closely interrelated. Both species are characterized by high phenotypic plasticity, the ability to adapt to local environments.
Adaptation can be seen in changes of morphological and life history traits: growth, fecundity and production. Phenotypic plasticity is mainly studied as the dependence of morphological and life history traits on environmental factors. The goal of this study is to find specific biomarkers of phenotypic plasticity at the level of gene expression (large-scale study of proteins). The focus is to reveal whether there are general mechanisms of proteome response to environment and whether specific proteins or their isoforms can be expressed in local populations.
Proteins and their interactions are important for the adaptation. They participate in structural changes that determine the morphological diversity, and in other crucial processes. This research also has a practical aspect due to global environment change and the need of assessment of ecological status of aquatic ecosystems. Thus, our research results may allow direct assessment or prediction of effects of specific pollutants on model organisms.