<![CDATA[Zooplankton, particularly Daphnia sp., play a key role in aquatic food webs and exhibit strong life‑history plasticity in response to predation risk mediated by chemical cues (kairomones). Aquatic macrophytes such as water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) are often assumed to provide refuge that may mitigate these effects. This study examined the influence of catfish (Clarias sp.) kairomones and the potential moderating role of I. aquatica on reproduction and survival of Daphnia sp. using an individual‑based bioassay with a randomized block design. Four treatments were applied: control, I. aquatica, kairomones, and kairomones + I. aquatica, observed in 15 days. Parameters measured included neonate number, age at first and second reproduction (AFR, ASR), Second Clutch/First Clutch ratio (C2/C1 ratio), and mortality. Kairomone exposure significantly reduced first‑clutch offspring production and delayed AFR, and induced compensatory reproduction in the second clutch, reflected by the highest C2/C1 ratios (K = 2.30; H = 2.11). Mortality was also highest in kairomone treatments (>42%). The presence of I. aquatica did not significantly mitigate kairomone effects and was associated with increased mortality relative to the control. These results indicate that chemical predator cues dominate over physical shelter in shaping Daphnia sp. life‑history strategies, with important implications for zooplankton dynamics in vegetated freshwater ecosystems.]]>
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