An investigation of predator-induced defence responses in ciliated protozoa

Predator-induced defence responses have been reported in 15 species of ciliates representing three subclasses: Hypotrichia, Stichotrichia and Hymenostomia. However, the discovery of this phenomenon in such distantly related groups suggests that it could be more widespread within the Ciliophora. In laboratory experiments, we tested 23 potential prey species with a range of potential predators including other ciliates (12 spp.), amoebae (two spp.), rotifers (two spp.), a turbellarian worm (Stenostomum sphagnetorum), and an oligochaete worm (Chaetogaster sp.). In each experiment, one predator species was incubated for 24h with one potential prey species and the latter was examined for evidence of a defence response. One new example of predator-induced morphological change was recorded (Euplotes viridis) and detailed observations were made for one poorly known example (E. eurystomus). Both species significantly increased their width (by about 35% and 23%, respectively) in the presence of the turbellarian worm S. sphagnetorum. An induced life cycle change was recorded for the first time among hypotrichs with E. muscorum exhibiting significantly increased rates of encystation in the presence of the ciliate predators Dileptus anser and Spathidium sp. Finally, Euplotes patella, Euplotes sp. and Stylonychia pustulata, which are usually regarded as omnivorous rather than predatory ciliates, all induced morphological change in Colpidium kleini, the C. kleini cells becoming significantly shorter and wider. No examples of induced defence response were found among groups other than hypotrichs and hymenostomes.