Use of a mathematical model to study the role of maternal effects in population dynamics and diapause formation in Daphnia
Authored by Tamara Kazantseva, Victor Alekseev
Date Published: 2007
DOI: 10.1127/1863-9135/2007/0169-0293
Sponsors:
Russian Foundation for Basic Research
Platforms:
No platforms listed
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Model Code URLs:
Model code not found
Abstract
An individual -based model of a population of Daphnia longispina, a
common species of zooplankton of lakes and temporary water-bodies of the
temperate zone of the Palearctic is described. The concept of this model
is based upon an individual's potential for growth and reproduction and
for the change from parthenogenesis to gamogenesis, which was controlled
by the life conditions of three consecutive generations of Daphnia. This
was achieved by simulating the effects of temperature, food conditions
and photoperiod experienced by grandmothers and mothers on an
individual's potential for growth and reproduction. The model was used
to test hypotheses on the significance of maternal transmission of
information in population dynamics of Daphnia. The results supported
several important conclusions, e.g. the corroboration of the importance
of maternal effects for seasonal adaptations of crustaceans. The
possibility of accumulation of maternal effects in successive
generations apparently increases the resistance of the population to
inter-annual fluctuations of environmental parameters. The model also
confirms that maternal effects along with intra-population polymorphism
are a mechanism providing stability of biological systems on the species
(population) level.
Tags
Size
Food
Life-history
Magna