| Title | Ecological differentiation in cryptic rotifer species: what we can learn from the B. plicatilis complex |
| Abstract | In recent decades, the use of molecular techniques in rotifers has revealed the existence of many cryptic species. Although strong competition is expected among cryptic species, these species are often sympatric. Here, we present a review of sympatric cryptic rotifer species, focusing on those cases in which niche differentiation has been investigated. There are at least 42 cryptic rotifer species complexes, and species coexistence is commonly reported. Ecological differentiation among cryptic species has been detected in several complexes. However, the only available information regarding mechanisms that allow cryptic species coexistence is for several species of the Brachionus plicatilis complex: B. plicatilis, B. ibericus, B. rotundiformis and B. manjavacas. According to these studies, when species differ in body size, niche differentiation is related to abiotic and biotic factors (e.g. the differential use of resources and vulnerability to predation). In contrast, if species are almost identical in body size, their biotic niches and competitive abilities are very similar, and niche differentiation is facilitated by the differences in the species responses to fluctuating, physical environment in combination with the divergence in life-history traits related to diapause. Further studies of additional cryptic rotifer species are essential to know the generality of these conclusions. |
| Source | Hydrobiologia (The Hague. Print) 796 (1), pp. 7–18 |
| Keywords | Brachionus plicatilisCoexistenceEcological differentiationMolecular taxonomyMorphological taxonomyPhylogenetically closely related species ecological differentiation |
| Journal | Hydrobiologia (The Hague. Print) |
| Editor | Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, Paesi Bassi |
| Year | 2017 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10750-016-2723-9 |
| Authors | Gabaldón, Carmen; Fontaneto, D.; Carmona, M. J.; Montero-Pau, J.; Serra, M. |
| Text | 354442 2017 10.1007/s10750 016 2723 9 Scopus 2 s2.0 84962230640 Brachionus plicatilis Coexistence Ecological differentiation Molecular taxonomy Morphological taxonomy Phylogenetically closely related species ecological differentiation Ecological differentiation in cryptic rotifer species what we can learn from the B. plicatilis complex Gabaldon, Carmen; Fontaneto, D.; Carmona, M. J.; Montero Pau, J.; Serra, M. Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic; Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche; Universitat de ValEncia; Universitat Politecnica de Valencia In recent decades, the use of molecular techniques in rotifers has revealed the existence of many cryptic species. Although strong competition is expected among cryptic species, these species are often sympatric. Here, we present a review of sympatric cryptic rotifer species, focusing on those cases in which niche differentiation has been investigated. There are at least 42 cryptic rotifer species complexes, and species coexistence is commonly reported. Ecological differentiation among cryptic species has been detected in several complexes. However, the only available information regarding mechanisms that allow cryptic species coexistence is for several species of the Brachionus plicatilis complex B. plicatilis, B. ibericus, B. rotundiformis and B. manjavacas. According to these studies, when species differ in body size, niche differentiation is related to abiotic and biotic factors e.g. the differential use of resources and vulnerability to predation . In contrast, if species are almost identical in body size, their biotic niches and competitive abilities are very similar, and niche differentiation is facilitated by the differences in the species responses to fluctuating, physical environment in combination with the divergence in life history traits related to diapause. Further studies of additional cryptic rotifer species are essential to know the generality of these conclusions. 796 Published version http //link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10750 016 2723 9 gabaldon 2016_Hydrobiol_Gabaldon_et_al_EV.pdf Articolo in rivista Kluwer Academic Publishers 0018 8158 Hydrobiologia The Hague. Print Hydrobiologia The Hague. Print Hydrobiologia The Hague. Print Hydrobiologia. The Hague. Print Hydrobiologia Dordrecht The Hague. Print Hydrobiologia Boston The Hague. Print Hydrobiologia London The Hague. Print diego.fontaneto FONTANETO DIEGO |
