Quantifying directed behavioural stress response in two planktonic rotifer species

Abstract In a spatially heterogeneous world, it is key for animals to sense the quality of their immediate environment and perform a directed avoidance behaviour when the environment is harmful. In aquatic environments, steep chemical gradients can be found at the thermocline or at the sediment-water interface resulting in small scale changes of good and harmful patches. Zooplankton that can escape from harmful patches increases its fitness. In this study, the responses of two planktonic, cosmop