The influence of temperature on the life history of the Antarctic nematode Panagrolaimus davidi

• Published in: Nematology
• Main Authors: Millar, Russell, Wharton, David, Brown, Ian
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Brill 2004
• Subjects: Agronomy and Crop Science; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Antarc*; Antarctic; Antarctica; Ross Island
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1568541044038641; https://brill.com/view/journals/nemy/6/6/article-p883_9.xml; https://brill.com/downloadpdf/journals/nemy/6/6/article-p883_9.xml

Abstract Panagrolaimus davidi is a free-living microbivore, associated with moss and algal patches in coastal regions around Ross Island, Antarctica. In laboratory experiments, temperature had a major influence on P. davidi life history parameters. The optimal temperature occurred between 25 and 30°C and the temperature at which population growth ceased was estimated at 6.8°C. Threshold temperatures for developmental processes were in the range 4.1°C (for egg incubation) to 7.6°C (for generation time). The life history strategy of P. davidi shows r-selected features and is more similar to temperate free-living nematodes than to other polar species, which show K-selected features. In the Antarctic, P. davidi is forced to remain dormant for long periods and growth occurs intermittently when conditions allow, suggesting A selection. The life history of P. davidi thus exhibits both A and r-selected features.