Cold‐induced expression of diapause in Praon volucre: fitness cost and morpho‐physiological characterization |
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Authors: | HERVÉ COLINET FRÉDERIC MURATORI THIERRY HANCE |
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Affiliation: | Earth and Life Institute, Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain‐la‐Neuve, Belgium |
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Abstract: | Cold exposure (2°C for 7 days) in constant darkness at mummy stage induces diapause expression in 9% of the Praon volucre Haliday population. Diapausing parasitoids show a significant delay in emergence time compared with nondiapausing counterparts. A diapause‐mediated polyphenism is observed in mummy colour, with diapausing mummies being clearly darker than nondiapausing ones. The diapause status of dark mummies is confirmed by a significant reduction in metabolic rate. Diapausing parasitoids also display specific morphological characteristics: they are heavier (fresh and dry mass) and accumulate larger fat reserves than nondiapausing counterparts. The diapause status is associated with a fitness cost in terms of adult longevity. There is no evidence of diapause‐related change in supercooling ability. |
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Keywords: | Diapause fitness mass metabolic rate mummy colour parasitoid supercooling point |
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