J�NSSON, K.I.; Lund University, Sweden: A life history perspective to desiccation tolerance

Extreme desiccation tolerance, or anhydrobiosis, is a phenotypic trait that has evolved as a response to desiccating conditions imposed by the environment. Periods of anhydrobiosis represent a specific life history stage characterised demographically by a survival function, but such periods may also influence future survival or reproduction. The nature of such effects is largely unexplored, and the general life history consequences of anhydrobiosis have received little attention. In my presentation, I will discuss some general aspects of life histories in connection to anhydrobiosis, including senescence, reproductive effort and life cycle patterns.