萼花臂尾轮虫休眠卵大小变异在其生活史对策中的作用

以周期性孤雌繁殖的淡水浮游生物——萼花臂尾轮虫（Brachionus calyciflorus）为研究对象．对其安徽品系的休眠卵进行了大、中、小分组,在2个不同食物浓度条件下培养并观察其种群增长、有性生殖方面的特点,以及后代形态大小和新产休眠卵大小。实验发现休眠卵大小对轮虫种群瞬时增长率、混交雌体百分率和后代形态均没有显著影响;而食物浓度则对轮虫种群的瞬时增长率有显著影响;休眠卵大小和食物浓度均显著影响后代休眠卵的大小。     

食物种类和密度对萼花臂尾轮虫休眠卵形成的影响

采用种群累积培养法,研究了藻类食物的种类和密度对萼花臂尾轮虫休眠卵形成的影响。结果表明,萼花臂尾轮虫的休眠卵主要在开始培养后的６天内形成。在０．１ｍｇ／ｍｌ的食物密度下,与蛋白核小球藻相比,斜生栅藻或斜生栅藻和蛋白核小球藻经１：１（湿重）组成的混合藻均能显著地提高休眠卵的产量和形成效率,同时也使轮虫种群中的平均混交雌体百分率和产休眠卵的混交雌体的平均产卵量明显增大,但对平均混交雌体受精率无显著影响     

新安江水域(屯溪段)轮虫的种群增长研究

应用群体培养法对采自新安江水域(屯溪段)的萼花臂尾轮虫在4种不同温度(15℃、20℃、25℃和30℃)下的种群动态进行研究。结果表明,温度对轮虫的种群增长率和休眠卵产量均有显著影响(P<0.05)。随着培养温度的升高,轮虫的种群增长率逐渐增大;休眠卵产量在15℃时最小,其余温度下无显著差异。轮虫的总雌体密度在25℃最大,15℃最小;4温度下,雄体和产雄卵的混交雌体的生产量15℃下最小,25℃下最大;而产休眠卵的混交雌体的生产量在15℃下最小,20℃下最大。温度对轮虫的平均混交雌体百分率和平均混交雌体受精率均无显著影响。     

种群起始密度对萼花臂尾轮虫休眠卵形成的影响

应用群体累积培养法,研究了种群起始密度对萼花臂尾轮虫休眠卵的形成及之相关的混交雌体百分率和受精率的影响,结果表明,在连续１１ｄ的培养中,轮虫休眠卵的产量和形成效率以及种群中的平均混交雌体百分率以种群起始密度为１．０－１０．０ｉｎｄ．ｍｌ＾－１组最大,２０．０ｉｎｄ．ｍｌ＾－１组次之,５０．０ｉｎｄ．ｍｌ＾－１组最小,各组间的平均混交雌体受精率则无显著差异,对轮虫休卢卵最大形成效率及其出现的时间以及     

镜湖萼花臂尾轮虫夏季种群等位酶分析以及克隆间的生殖差异

应用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶垂直板电泳技术和特异性染色方法,对采自芜湖市镜湖的萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionuscalyciflorus)夏季种群内的16个克隆进行了等位酶分析。在检测的6种等位酶系统中,依据葡萄糖磷酸异构酶(GPI)和苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)的酶谱在克隆间所存在的明显差异,将镜湖萼花臂尾轮虫夏季种群内的16个克隆划分为4个互不相同的克隆群。对由4个克隆群中分别随机选取的1个克隆(共4个克隆,分别命名为克隆A、克隆B、克隆C和克隆D)在4种斜生栅藻(Scenedesmusobliquus)密度(1.0,2.0,4.0和8.0×106cells/ml)下的孤雌生殖和有性生殖所作的研究发现,食物密度、克隆以及两者间的交互作用对轮虫的种群瞬时增长率、种群中的混交雌体百分率、混交雌体受精率和休眠卵产量等4项指标均有显著影响。4克隆中,克隆D的这4项指标均最高,而克隆B的种群瞬时增长率以及克隆A的其他3项指标均最低。克隆B的种群瞬时增长率、种群中的混交雌体百分率和混交雌体受精率均与食物密度间无显著的相关性;克隆A和C的种群瞬时增长率与食物密度间呈曲线相关,而其种群中的混交雌体百分率和混交雌体受精率均与食物密度间无显著的相关性;克隆D的种群瞬时增长率、种群中的混交雌体百分率和混交雌体受精率均与食物密度间呈曲线相关。这些结果表明:镜湖萼花臂尾轮虫夏季种群内存在“克隆共存”现象,且有些克隆间在生化遗传和生态特征方面具有明显的差异     

邻苯二甲酸酯类物质对萼花臂尾轮虫种群增长和有性生殖的影响

以萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflourus)为受试动物,以17β-雌二醇(E2)为阳性对照,运用3d种群增长和4d休眠卵产量实验方法研究了不同浓度的邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(DBP)、邻苯二甲酸二异辛酯(DEHP)和邻苯二甲酸丁苄酯(BBP)对轮虫种群增长和有性生殖的影响。结果显示,与空白对照组相比,0.05-5000μg/L的E2和500μg/L的BBP显著提高了轮虫种群增长率,而0.5和5000μg/L的DBP以及0.05和0.5μg/L的BBP使轮虫种群增长率显著降低;0.5-500μg/L的E2、50和500μg/L的DBP、0.005和500μg/L的DEHP和500μg/L的BBP显著提高了轮虫的休眠卵产量,而5000μg/L的DBP和0.05μg/L的BBP却与其相反;5和500μg/L的E2、50和500μg/L的DEHP以及500μg/L的DBP和BBP均使轮虫混交率显著上升,而0.005和0.05μg/L的E2、5000μg/L的DBP和DEHP及0.5μg/L的BBP显著降低了轮虫种群中混交雌体受精率;除5000μg/L的E2显著降低轮虫种群中的混交雌体数/非混交雌体数之外,其它所有处理组均对其无显著性影响;5、500和5000μg/L的E2、5000μg/L的DBP和5-5000μg/L的DEHP均使轮虫种群中的带卵雌体数/不带卵雌体数显著升高,而BBP对其无显著影响。在实验设置浓度范围内,轮虫种群中的混交雌体数/非混交雌体数与E2浓度间、轮虫种群中的混交雌体受精率和种群增长率与DBP浓度间、轮虫休眠卵产量与DEHP浓度间、轮虫混交率与BBP浓度间均具有显著的效应-剂量关系     

孤雌生殖累积世代数和雌体年龄对萼花臂尾轮虫繁殖的影响

采用单个体培养方法,研究了孤雌生殖的累积世代数和雌体年龄对萼花臂尾轮虫混交雌体形成和产卵量的影响,结果表明,随着轮虫孤雌生殖累积世代数和增加,各代中的总混交雌体百分率呈减小的趋势,年轮的雌体可产生较多的混交雌体,非混交雌体所产后代中的总混交雌体百分率具有随其祖母年龄的增大而增大的趋势,孤雌生殖的累积世代数对轮对轮虫非混交雌体的平均产卵量无显著的影响,非混交雌体的年龄对其报代的平均产卵量亦无显著的影响。     

氯氰菊酯和溴氰菊酯对萼花臂尾轮虫生殖的影响

以萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)为受试动物,运用3d种群增长和4d休眠卵产量实验方法研究了不同浓度的氯氰菊酯(31.25、62.5、125、250、500、1000 μg/L和2000 μg/L)和溴氰菊酯(15.63、31.25、62.5、125、250μg/L和500 μg/L)对轮虫生殖的影响.结果显示,氯氰菊酯浓度对轮虫种群增长率、轮虫种群中的OF/NOF值和MF/AF值、混交率和休眠卵产量均有显著影响(P均＜0.001),但对轮虫混交雌体受精率无显著的影响(P＞0.05);溴氰菊酯浓度对轮虫种群增长率、轮虫种群中的MF/AF值、混交率和休眠卵产量均有显著影响(P均＜0.05),但对轮虫种群中的OF/NOF值和混交雌体受精率均无显著的影响(P＞0.05).与空白对照组相比,31.25-125 μg/L的氯氰菊酯和除31.25 μg/L外所有浓度的溴氰菊酯都显著升高了轮虫的种群增长率,而1000 μg/L和2000 μg/L的氯氰菊酯却显著降低了轮虫的种群增长率;500 μg/L的氯氰菊酯使轮虫种群中的带卵雌体数/不带卵雌体数显著升高,而各浓度的溴氰菊酯对其无显著影响;62.5 μg/L和125 μg/L的氯氰菊酯显著升高了轮虫种群中的混交雌体数/非混交雌体数,而15.63 μg/L的溴氰菊酯却显著降低了轮虫种群中的混交雌体数/非混交雌体数;62.5-250 μg/L的氯氰菊酯显著升高了轮虫混交率,而500-2000 μg/L的氯氰菊酯以及15.63、31.25、250 μg/L和500μg/L的溴氰菊酯却均显著降低了轮虫混交率;62.5 μg/L和125 μg/L的氯氰菊酯以及15.63 μg/L和125 μg/L的溴氰菊酯均显著升高了轮虫的休眠卵产量.包括空白对照组在内,所有测试液内的轮虫混交雌体受精率均为零.在实验设置的浓度范围内,氯氰菊酯浓度与轮虫的种群增长率、轮虫种群中的混交雌体数/非混交雌体数及轮虫混交率间均具有显著的剂量-效应关系.     

休眠卵孵化对策与食物浓度对萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus)两品系干雌体种群增长的影响

周期性孤雌繁殖的轮虫靠休眠卵度过不良环境,等环境适宜时休眠卵孵化出干雌体,再次通过孤雌繁殖建立种群。通常休眠卵要经历一段休眠期再孵化,但也有些休眠卵生成后很快孵化,称为早孵化现象。有关休眠卵不同孵化对策如何影响其干雌体克隆种群的增长,目前尚不清楚。分别观测了萼花臂尾轮虫（Brachionus calyciflorus）的两个品系H1（窄温度生态位）和D1（宽温度生态位）的休眠卵在不同孵化对策和不同食物浓度下所生产的干雌体克隆群的种群增长差异。孵化对策包括早孵化（early hatching,EH）和晚孵化（late hatching,LH）;食物浓度包括高食物浓度（high food concentration,HF：2×10⁶个细胞/mL）和低食物浓度（low food concentration,LF：5×10⁵个细胞/mL）,每个品系下各设置4个实验组（LH-HF、LH-LF、EH-HF、EH-LF）,每组10个重复。结果发现,对D1品系来说：孵化对策和食物浓度对最大种群数量具有显著的综合影响（P=0.002）,但两因素间不存在交互作用（P=0.911）;早孵化的干雌体种群在最大种群数量上显著高于晚孵化的干雌体种群（P=0.001）。对H1品系：孵化对策和食物浓度对最大种群数量综合影响显著（P<0.001）,且两个因素之间存在交互作用（P<0.001）;高食物浓度下,EH干雌体克隆群的最大种群数量显著低于LH干雌体克隆群（P<0.001）。高食物浓度下干雌体克隆群开始有性生殖的密度阈值,D1品系EH组显著高于LH组（P=0.041）;而H1品系EH组却显著低于LH组（P=0.022）。最高种群密度下,H1品系的有性生殖率在两种孵化对策之间存在显著差异（P=0.044）,EH种群的有性生殖率低于LH种群,而D品系却未见有性生殖率在不同孵化对策间存在明显差异。本研究结果显示休眠卵的孵化对策会影响其后代干雌体种群的增长特性,其影响的结果可能与种群的生境适应相关。     

甲胺磷和17β－雌二醇对萼花臂尾轮虫实验种群动态的影响

对暴露于不同浓度的甲胺磷(0.01、0.1、1.0、10.0、100.0、1 000.0和10 000.0 μg·L-1)和17β-雌二醇(0.001、0.01、0.1、1.0、10.0、100.0、和1 000.0 μg·L-1)溶液中的萼花臂尾轮虫的种群动态进行了研究.结果表明:甲胺磷和17β-雌二醇对轮虫种群动态的影响存在差异.甲胺磷和17β-雌二醇对实验期间轮虫的平均种群增长率均有显著影响,但对轮虫种群中的混交雌体受精率的平均值无显著影响;甲胺磷对实验期间轮虫种群中的携卵雌体数/非携卵雌体数和混交雌体百分率的平均值均有显著影响,而17β-雌二醇则无显著影响;甲胺磷对实验期间轮虫的休眠卵总产量无显著影响,而17β-雌二醇的影响较显著.与对照相比,10.0～10 000.0 μg·L-1的甲胺磷和100.0 μg·L-1的17β-雌二醇均使轮虫的平均种群增长率显著提高;0.1～10 000.0和10.0 μg·L-1的甲胺磷分别显著地降低了实验期间轮虫种群中的携卵雌体数/非携卵雌体数和混交雌体百分率的平均值;1 000.0 μg·L-1的17β-雌二醇显著降低了轮虫的休眠卵总产量.在实验浓度范围内,轮虫平均种群增长率(Y,d-1)与甲胺磷浓度(X,μg·L-1)之间的关系为Y=-2×10-8X2 0.0002X 0.3474.种群增长率可用于监测和评价甲胺磷对轮虫种群动态的影响.     

Optimal rates of bisexual reproduction in cyclical parthenogens with density-dependent growth

This work explores theoretical patterns of reproduction that maximize the production of resting eggs and the long-term fitness of genotypes in cyclical parthenogens. Our focus is on density-dependent reproduction as it influences the consequences of a trade-off between producing amictic daughters – which reproduce parthenogenetically and subitaneously – and producing mictic daughters – which undergo meiosis and bisexual reproduction. Amictic females increase competitive ability and allow the population to achieve a larger size; mictic females directly contribute to population survival through harsh periods by producing resting eggs. Although morphologically indistinguishable, the two types of females differ greatly in their ecological and reproductive roles. What factors underlie the differential allocation of resources to produce amictic and mictic females? Using a demographic model based on readily accessible parameters we demonstrate the existence of a frequency of mictic females that will maximize the population's long-term fitness. This frequency, termed the optimal mictic ratio, m_o, is 1 ? (q/b)^1/2, where q is the mortality rate and b is the maximum birth rate. Using computer simulation we compared the fitness of a population with this constant mictic ratio with populations having multiple switches from complete parthenogenetic growth to complete allocation in mixis (mictic ratio either 0 or 1). Two important conclusions for optimal mixis in density-dependent growth conditions are: (1) intermediate mictic ratios are optimal, and (2) optimal mictic ratios are higher when habitat conditions are better. Physiological cues responding to differences in birth and death rates are common so that it is possible that populations may adjust their relative rates of mictic and amictic female production in response to environmentally induced changes to the optimum mictic ratio. Our analysis demonstrates that different patterns of mixis are expected in different type of habitats. Since the optimal mictic ratio is sensitive to the effects of a variety of environmental challenges, our model makes possible a new means to evaluate life history evolution in cyclical parthenogens.     

Sex,population dynamics and resting egg production in rotifers

The interaction between sexual reproduction and population growth in the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis was examined using exponential and logistic growth models. A computer simulation was used to explore the effects of the frequency of sex and the proportion of a female's daughters reproducing sexually on population growth rate and resting egg production. Within the parameters of the simulation, the proportion of sexual daughters required for maximum resting egg production increased as the frequency of sex decreased. Adding density-dependence to the model also shifted this optimum towards a higher proportion of sexual daughters. When population growth was unconstrained by density, the optimum proportion of sexual daughters varied between 10–50%, depending on the frequency of sex. This compares to 25–64% when the greatest density restraints were applied at K = 500 females. As the population growth rate (r) increases, the optimum proportion of sexual daughters increases nonlinearly and these effects are exaggerated as sex becomes less frequent. A compilation of published data from laboratory populations of four Brachionus plicatilis strains reveals that the average proportion of sexual daughters in 21% and in close agreement with that predicted by simulation. The limitations of the simulation and its generalizability to other rotifers are discussed.     

利用种群增长研究镜湖夏季萼花臂尾轮虫对水温的适应

运用种群增长实验方法, 在4个温度(20℃、24℃、28℃和32℃)和3个斜生栅藻Scenedesmus obliquus (Turpin) Kuetzing密度(1.0106、2.0106和4.0106 cells/mL)共12个条件组合下研究了镜湖夏季出现的萼花臂尾轮虫(Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas)的种群增长率、平均混交率、平均受精率和休眠卵产量等生殖参数。结果表明, 在各食物密度下, 轮虫种群增长率均在28℃和32℃下最高。平均混交率、平均受精率和休眠卵产量等与温度间的关系因食物密度的不同而异。温度对种群增长率、平均混交率、平均受精率和休眠卵产量均有极显著性影响(P 0.01), 食物密度对种群增长率和休眠卵产量均有极显著性影响(P 0.01), 温度和食物密度的交互作用对平均混交率、平均受精率和休眠卵产量均有极显著性影响(P 0.01)。在1.0106、2.0106和4.0106 cells/mL的斜生栅藻密度以及28℃和32℃下, 轮虫具有较高的种群增长率(1.501.95/d)表明该种群能够适应较高的水温, 水温不是导致其在夏季水体中具有极低的种群密度(远低于1个/L)的直接因素。在种群存在于镜湖水体期间(7月初至12月初), 特别是当水温降至20℃左右时, 其较高的休眠卵产量为该种群在次年的同一时段在水体中重新出现提供了保证。       

Delayed mixis in rotifers: an adaptive response to the effects of density-dependent sex on population growth

In most cyclically parthenogenetic life cycles, sex is neededto produce resting stages. In several species of cyclicallyparthenogenetic rotifers, some generations of clones are notresponsive to a density-dependent signal that triggers sexualfemale production. These unresponsive rotifers hatch from restingeggs and typically pass 8–12 generations of female parthenogenesisbefore becoming receptive to the mixis signal. We addressedthe selection for mixis delay using a simulation model. A delayof sexual reproduction could increase population growth throughparthenogenesis and thus the number of resting eggs ultimatelyproduced. In a monomorphic population without mixis delay, wedetermined the optimal ratio of mictic to amictic females (mixisratio) to be 45%, and the optimal population density thresholdfor induction of mictic females (mixis threshold) to be 82 rotifersL^–1. This mixis pattern, however, was not an evolutionarilystable strategy. A mixis ratio of 14% and threshold of 70 rotifersL^–1 proved to be resistant to invasion by other mixispatterns. When we gave this phenotype a mixis delay of 8–10days, it could invade a population with the same mixis pattern,but lacking a mixis delay. The advantage of delaying mixis wasrelatively small, suggesting that a polymorphism is possible.     

Effects of three organophosphorus pesticides on population growth and sexual reproduction of rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas

Effects of organophosphorus pesticides including dichlorvos, triazophos and chlorpyrifos on population growth and sexual reproduction of freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus were studied by 3-d population growth and 4-d resting egg production tests. The results showed that all the three organophosphorus pesticides influenced significantly the population growth rate, the ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females in the rotifer populations and the resting egg production of the rotifers. Both dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos influenced markedly the mictic rate of the rotifers, but triazophos did not. Compared to the controls, both dichlorvos at 10.0–1000.0 μg/L and chlorpyrifos at 0.01–100.0 μg/L increased the population growth rate, but the reverse was also true for dichlorvos and triazophos both at 10000.0 μg/L. Chlorpyrifos at 10000.0 μg/L made the rotifers dead after 24-hr exposure. Dichlorvos and triazophos both at 10000.0 μg/L, and chlorpyrifos at 1000.0 μg/L all increased the ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females. Both dichlorvos at 10000.0 μg/L and chlorpyrifos at 0.1–100.0 μg/L increased the mictic rate. Dichlorvos at 10.0 μg/L and 100.0 μg/L, and triazophos and chlorpyrifos both at 0.1–100.0 μg/L increased the resting egg production. Both population growth rate and ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females are suitable endpoints for assessing the effects of dichlorvos, triazophos and chlorpyrifos, and mictic rate is a suitable endpoint for monitoring the effects of dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos on the reproduction of the rotifers. Both population growth rate and ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females are more sensitive to dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos than mictic rate.     

Effect of food concentration on the production and viability of resting eggs of the rotifer Brachionus: implications for the timing of sexual reproduction

1. Life‐table experiments with Brachionus calyciflorus test several hypotheses related to the idea that sexual reproduction in monogonont rotifers should occur when food resources are favourable. 2. The food concentration necessary for a fertilised mictic female to produce one phenotypically normal resting egg was higher than that for an amictic female to produce one daughter. At the lowest concentration of Cryptomonas erosa (1.25 × 10³ cells mL^?1), the lifetime fecundity of these two types of females was 0.9 and 1.4, respectively. 3. The lifetime fecundity of both fertilised mictic females and amictic females increased with food concentration to 3.4 resting eggs and 15.2 daughters female^?1, respectively. The approach to maximal fecundity with increasing food concentration was more rapid for fertilised mictic females, such that their lifetime fecundity relative to that of amictic females gradually decreased from 0.64 (at 1.25 × 10³ C. erosa mL^?1) to 0.22 (at 2.5 × 10⁴ C. erosa mL^?1). 4. The probability of a fertilised mictic female producing one or more abnormal resting eggs during her lifetime was high (approximately 75%). The mean proportion of abnormal eggs produced per female varied among the different food‐concentration treatments (26–38%) but was not higher at the low food concentrations. 5. The proportion of normal resting eggs that hatched was high (51–71%); those produced at low food concentrations were no less likely to hatch than those produced at high food concentrations. No abnormal resting eggs hatched. 6. The probability of a fertilised mictic female producing an abnormal resting egg increased rapidly with her age at all food concentrations. The probability of a normal resting egg hatching declined with maternal age at the low food concentration in one of two experiments. 7. The results support the idea that induction of mictic females should occur when food resources are good. Coincidence of sexual reproduction with low food availability risks low production of resting eggs for several reasons. Population size may be small, with a low probability of encounters between young mictic females and males, and fertilised mictic females may be unable to mature and produce resting eggs.     

Effects of three organophosphorus pesticides on population growth and sexual reproduction of rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas

Effects of organophosphorus pesticides including dichlorvos, triazophos and chlorpyrifos on population growth and sexual reproduction of freshwater rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus were studied by 3-d population growth and 4-d resting egg production tests. The results showed that all the three organophosphorus pesticides influenced significantly the population growth rate, the ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females in the rotifer populations and the resting egg production of the rotifers. Both dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos influenced markedly the mictic rate of the rotifers, but triazophos did not. Compared to the controls, both dichlorvos at 10.0–1000.0 μg/L and chlorpyrifos at 0.01–100.0 μg/L increased the population growth rate, but the reverse was also true for dichlorvos and triazophos both at 10000.0 μg/L. Chlorpyrifos at 10000.0 μg/L made the rotifers dead after 24-hr exposure. Dichlorvos and triazophos both at 10000.0 μg/L, and chlorpyrifos at 1000.0 μg/L all increased the ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females. Both dichlorvos at 10000.0 μg/L and chlorpyrifos at 0.1–100.0 μg/L increased the mictic rate. Dichlorvos at 10.0 μg/L and 100.0 μg/L, and triazophos and chlorpyrifos both at 0.1–100.0 μg/L increased the resting egg production. Both population growth rate and ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females are suitable endpoints for assessing the effects of dichlorvos, triazophos and chlorpyrifos, and mictic rate is a suitable endpoint for monitoring the effects of dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos on the reproduction of the rotifers. Both population growth rate and ratio ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females are more sensitive to dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos than mictic rate.     

Endogenous regulation of environmentally induced sexuality in a rotifer: a multigenerational parental effect induced by fertilisation

SUMMARY 1. Sexual reproduction in the heterogonic life cycle of many rotifers occurs when amictic females, which produce diploid eggs developing parthenogenetically into females, are environmentally induced to produce mictic females. Mictic females produce haploid eggs which develop parthenogenetically into males or, if fertilised, into resting eggs – encysted embryos which develop into amictic females after an obligatory diapause. 2. A Florida strain of Brachionus calyciflorus was used to test the prediction that amictic females hatching from resting eggs (Generation 1), and those from the next few parthenogenetic generations, have a lower propensity to produce mictic daughters in response to crowding than those from later parthenogenetic generations. In 10 replicate clones, populations initiated by amictic females from generations 1, 5, 8, 12 and 18 were exposed to a standardised crowding stimulus, and the proportion of mictic females in the populations was determined. These proportions varied significantly across generations and clones. They were very low in the early generations and gradually increased to a mean of about 0.5 at Generation 12. 3. The mechanism for the transgenerational plasticity in response to crowding is not known. One possibility is that resting eggs contain an agent from their fertilised mictic mother's yolk gland that prevents development into mictic females and is transmitted in increasingly low concentrations through successive parthenogenetic generations of amictic females. 4. This parental effect may contribute to clonal fitness by ensuring that a clone developing from a resting egg will attain a higher population size through female parthenogenesis before maximising its commitment to sexual reproduction, even in the presence of a crowding stimulus from a high population density of other clones. Therefore, the number of resting eggs to which a clone contributes its genes should be maximised. 5. The clonal variation in propensity to produce mictic females in this strain indicates genetic variation in the trade‐off between maximising population growth via female parthenogenesis and increasing the probability of producing at least some resting eggs before local extinction from the plankton.     

An individual-based population model for the prediction of rotifer population dynamics and resting egg production

Most species of rotifers have a combination of sexual and asexual reproduction, with sexual reproduction resulting in resting eggs, which can lay dormant for long periods. The occurrence of sexual reproduction affects population dynamics through the temporary presence of male rotifers, and a reduction in the growth of the number of female rotifers. A previously published, individual-based model used dynamic energy budget theory to describe rotifer food intake, growth, egg production, and mortality, but assumed asexual reproduction only. In the current study, we have expanded the model to describe the entire reproductive cycle of the rotifers, making it usable for investigating relationships, such as those between the signal triggering mictic egg production, and the timing and number of resting eggs produced. The model is intended for use in predicting the specific future development of cultures, for instance, as a process model in rotifer or resting egg production for aquaculture. Guest editors: S. S. S. Sarma, R. D. Gulati, R. L. Wallace, S. Nandini, H. J. Dumont & R. Rico-Martínez Advances in Rotifer Research     

Sexual reproduction and diapause of Hexarthra sp. (Rotifera) in short-lived ponds in the Chihuahuan Desert

1. In the life cycle of monogonont rotifers it is generally assumed that diapausing eggs invariably hatch into amictic stem females which produce female offspring parthenogenetically. Diapausing eggs are only produced by later generations after sexual reproduction has been induced by environmental cues. 2. We show that populations of an undescribed Hexarthra species inhabiting small temporary ponds in the Chihuahuan Desert deviate from this life cycle pattern. These ponds may dry within days and up to 85% of females were mictic. Females producing male offspring and diapausing eggs were observed 1 or 2 days, respectively, after ponds had filled with water. 3. Under laboratory conditions, 7–46% of females hatching from re‐hydrated sediments were sexual. Male offspring of these females can fertilise other mictic stem females leading to diapausing egg formation. In laboratory experiments, females produced fully developed diapausing eggs within 1.9 days at 20 °C and 1.2 days at 30 °C. 4. In addition, embryonic development time (1.1–0.3 days at temperatures between 12 and 30 °C) and juvenile period (2.1–0.5 days for the same temperature range) are shorter than those of other rotifer species. In short‐lived habitats, the potential for rapid population development and production of new diapausing eggs may be crucial in the long‐term survival of populations.