Ecological Applications of Lansing's Physiological Work on Longevity in Rotatoria

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Abstract
The problems of the distribution of spp. and the productivity of populations can be thought of as problems of survival and fecundity, and this focuses attention on the physiol. effects of environmental variables on the rates of reproduction, growth, and death. The physiol. mechanisms involved in the observed limitations can be detd. only by properly conducted lab. expts., but such a study must be preceded by studies of natural populations, to find out which spp. are quantitatively important and which are most sensitive to environmental variations; these will be most profitable to study. Little information will be revealed by spp. which are rare in natural habitats or which are not limited to a more or less restricted part of the range of variation found in natural waters. The rotifers are especially useful for many kinds of physiol. work. Anyone contemplating a study of rotifers should keep the ecological considerations in mind.
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