6533b7d3fe1ef96bd1261480

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Modes, mechanisms and evidence of bet hedging in rotifer diapause traits

Manuel SerraEduardo M. García-rogerMaría José Carmona

subject

0106 biological sciencesbiologyHatchingEcology010604 marine biology & hydrobiologymedia_common.quotation_subjectEcologia animalRotiferAquatic ScienceDiapausebiology.organism_classificationRotífers010603 evolutionary biology01 natural sciencesSexual reproductionAquatic environmentZoologiaReproductionmedia_common

description

In this contribution, we review our knowledge on bet-hedging strategies associated with rotifer diapause. First, we describe the ecological scenario under which bet hedging is likely to have evolved in three diapause-related traits in monogonont rotifer populations: (1) the timing of sex (because diapausing eggs are produced via sexual reproduction), (2) the sexual reproduction ratio (i.e. the fraction of sexually reproducing females) and (3) the timing of diapausing egg hatching. Then, we describe how to discriminate among bet-hedging modes and discuss which modes and mechanisms better fit the variability observed in these traits in rotifers. Finally, we evaluate the strength of the empirical evidence for bet hedging in the scarce studies available, and we call for the need of research at different levels of biological complexity to fully understand bet hedging in rotifer diapause.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2016-06-21
10.1007/s10750-016-2869-5http://hdl.handle.net/10550/63501