Evidence for the production of extracellular herbivore deterrents by Anabaena flos‐aquae

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Abstract
SUMMARY. 1. Daphnia pulex grown in the cell‐free filtrate of a log phase culture of Anabaena flos‐aquae showed lower fitness as measured by filtering rate, survivorship and reproduction than did individuals in a control treatment. This suggests that the extracellular metabolites of some algae may have considerable adaptive value as a herbivore deterrent.2. Heating of the cell‐free filtrate neutralized the inhibitory effect on filtering rate, but increased the depression of reproduetive rate. This suggests the presence of a variety of bioactive compounds which may inhibit specific herbivore functions.