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Grazer-induced defense in phytoplankton is known to stabilize community dynamics within aquatic environments. Metal contamination in waters is of grave concern worldwide due to its cytotoxicity to organisms. had no significant effect on algal growth and photosynthesis; however, the ability of S. obliquus to form colonies in response to Daphnia filtrate was impaired. These results suggest high sensitivity of grazer-induced morphological defense to Cu toxicity in Scenedesmus. Metal contamination may result in inducible defended algae being easily grazed by small herbivores, potentially changing the energy flow along the food chain in contaminated waters.

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