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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

The research presented in this study was supported by funds from the projects UV-INV-PRECOMP12-80525 (University of València, Spain) and CGL2012-30779 (Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, co-financed by UE-FEDER).

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  1. Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, A.O. 22085, 46071, Valencia, Spain

    Eduardo M. García-Roger, María José Carmona & Manuel Serra

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  1. Eduardo M. García-Roger
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  2. María José Carmona
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  3. Manuel Serra
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Correspondence to Eduardo M. García-Roger.

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Guest editors: M. Devetter, D. Fontaneto, C. D. Jersabek, D. B. Mark Welch, L. May & E. J. Walsh / Evolving rotifers, evolving science

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García-Roger, E.M., Carmona, M.J. & Serra, M. Modes, mechanisms and evidence of bet hedging in rotifer diapause traits. Hydrobiologia 796, 223–233 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-016-2869-5

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