CHARMANTIER, G. *; WOLCOTT, D. L.: Ontogenetic strategies of invertebrates in aquatic environments : Introductory note

Aquatic organisms are subjected to multiple environmental factors wielding a selection pressure upon them. As natural selection acts on all developmental stages, the successful establishment of a species in a given habitat depends on the ability of each of its developmental stages to accommodate these external conditions and their variations. Species may show congruence in behavioral and physiological strategies that are constrained by the rigors of the aquatic environment, especially during development. The evolutionary consequences are important, and have generated increasing interest. The symposium, which brings together physiologists and ecologists, aims at a better understanding of ontogenetic strategies in aquatic environments, and their evolutionary significance. The symposium will successively focus, largely in crustaceans, on the ontogeny of gas exchange (N.B. Terwilliger), cardiac function (J.I. Spicer), osmoregulation (G. Charmantier), the appearance of hormonal coordinations (E.S. Chang), on vision (T.W. Cronin), on induction of quiescence and diapause (S.C. Hand), and on transition to non-marine conditions (K. Anger). Behavioral and ecological aspects of transport, settlement (R.B. Forward, C.M. Young), and metamorphic competence (M.J. Hadfield) in several invertebrate phyla will also be addressed. D.L. Wolcott will act as panel moderator.