A massive
challenge in ecotoxicology is assessing how the interaction
of contaminants, climate change, and biotic stressors shapes the structure
and functions of natural populations. Furthermore, it is not known
whether contemporary evolutionary responses to multiple stressors
across multigenerations may alter the interaction of these stressors.
To address these issues, we exposed Moina dubia to lead (Pb, 50 μg/L) under two temperatures (25 and 28 °C)
with/without predator cues from climbing perch (Anabas
testudineus) for 11 generations (F1–F11). We
assessed changes in M. dubia fitness,
including development time, adult size, lifespan, fecundity, and neonate
production. We found strong negative effects of Pb, elevated temperature,
and predator cues on the fitness of M. dubia. Strikingly, Pb-induced reduction in the performance of M. dubia was stronger at 25 °C and in the absence
of predator cues. The individual and interactive effects of Pb, temperature,
and predator cues on M. dubia were
stronger across F1–F9 and generally leveled off in F10–F11.
Our results highlight the high vulnerability of M.
dubia to multiple stressors, thus weakening top-down
control on algal blooms in eutrophic lakes. Our study underscores
the importance of integrating evolutionary responses in realistic
ecotoxicological risk assessments of contaminants interacting with
climatic and biotic stressors.