EN
The mechanism that enables the coexistence of apparently very similar species is fundamental in understanding the diversity of natural communities. The ranges of reactions of the three Daphnia clones in the presence of toxic compounds and fish kairomones were studied in laboratory. The ranges were based on differences in body length, spine length and fecundity (number of eggs in a brood chamber) during first three reproductions. The ranges of reactions of the three clones differed dramatically. The range of D. galeata and D. hyalina hardly overlapped, while that of a D. galeata × hyalina hybrid clone was significantly broader than the ranges of either parental species. The observed diversity of ranges of reactions probably enables the coexistence of closely related species in the variable environment of natural lakes.