ISSN:
1573-5117
Keywords:
behavior
;
mating
;
evolution
;
taxonomy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The recent isolation of a mate recognition pheromone in the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis Müller has shed new light on the mate recognition system of rotifers. One result is improved understanding of the importance of mating behavior as a highly efficient process used by rotifers to choose conspecifics. There are many differences in the main characteristics of mating behavior in members of five different families of rotifers. The present work describes the use of these characteristics to assess species boundaries, especially where boundaries between two or more species are unclear. The method proposed here can assess quantitatively the response of males of one species to females of a questionable taxon by measuring the percentage of matings initiated and the number of completed copulations. The data generated can then be used together with molecular, morphological, and other data to determine the species boundaries. This approach can help distinguish between morphological differences resulting from evolutionary divergence of species and morphological differences induced by environmental or ecological factors.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1017005602735
Permalink
