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Ecology of bdelloids: how to be successful

  • Conference paper
Rotifer Symposium IV

Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 42))

Abstract

Bdelloids inhabit many different environments. The entire taxon is an order belonging to the phylum Rotifera. In spite of its wide distribution, it has a very uniform morphology, suggesting that natural selection has had almost no effect on its morphological characteristics.

This paper reviews the geographical and ecological distributions of bdelloids and their ability to tolerate different conditions is discussed. Two characteristics account for the wide distribution of bdelloids, parthenogenetic reproduction and their ability to withstand unfavorable conditions through anhydrobiosis. The former is an apomictic thelytoky which may ensure genetic homogeneity within clones. However, evidence which suggests variability among and within parthenogenetic clones is discussed. Some recent experimental evidence indicates that anhydrobiosis does not affect the life history of the surviving individuals. The effects of anhydrobiosis on bdelloid populations are considered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Biologia, Sez. Ecologia, Via Celoria 26, Milano, 20133, Italy

    Claudia N. Ricci

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  1. Claudia N. Ricci
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0QB, Scotland

    L. May

  2. Limnologisches Institut, Gaisberg 116, A-5310, Mondsee, Austria

    A. Herzig

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© 1987 Dr W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht - Printed in the Netherlands

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Ricci, C.N. (1987). Ecology of bdelloids: how to be successful. In: May, L., Wallace, R., Herzig, A. (eds) Rotifer Symposium IV. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 42. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4059-8_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-4059-8_17

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8302-7

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