Initial surveys were done to determine which, if any of the loci were variable. These studies revealed that APK, PGM and PGI showed considerable variation. The populations are being surveyed from samples taken live from the ponds and then frozen, as well as populations hatched from ephippia gathered from the dune ponds. These will be used to make estimates of the average gene diversity, which is equivalent to the expected heterozygosity if the sampled population were suddenly to mate randomly. Also under investigation is the nature of this species unusual pigmentation.
Daphnia are translucent and are usually amber or devoid of color.
These dune Daphnia, when found in their natural environment, possess a striking melanic pigmentation. It has been hypothesized that the melanism serves as a photoprotection device, but it is possible that it also serves as a defensive protection from the predatory copeopods which also inhabit these ponds. In a study in which melanic forms of Daphnia were found in arctic ponds a strong correlation was found between whether or not the pond was surrounded by vegetation and the extent to which melanic forms were present. It was found that in all cases, melanic forms were present in ponds which were devoid of surrounding vegetation. It was hypothesized that organic nutrient runoff from local fauna filters out harmful ultraviolet radiation within the first few inches of water.