Dormancy patterns in rotifers
C. Ricci-2001
Hydrobiologia, 446/447:1-11
Abstract:
Dormancy is common among rotifers: monogononts produce resting eggs
(diapause) commonly after switching to mictic phase, and bdelloids enter
anhydrobiosis (quiescence) at any time during their life cycle. Monogononts
are short-lived and inhabit coarse-grained environments; their dormancy is a
long-lasting diapause, commonly initiated by indirect remote cues. Bdelloids
live 3 times as long, live in fine-grained environments and enter
short-lasting quiescence as a direct response to changing environment. The
two dormancy forms of the rotifers can be related to the temporal variation
of their environments and seem to represent diverse responses to disturbance
occurring at different rates. The two strategies are alternative and
mutually exclusive, as no single rotifer species seems capable of both
diapause and quiescence. Dormancy has great ecological significance: it can
carry the population through stressful conditions, promote species
coexistence and serve as a biodiversity bank providing reliable colonization
source.