Types of diapause in Crustacea: Definitions, distribution, evolution

Definitions of diapause and of the three types of diapause (embryonal, larval and imaginal) as they apply to the Crustacea are given and the distribution of the types among different orders of crustaceans is discussed. A special role of diapause as a way to escape competition among ecologically similar species is noted and the significance of photoperiod responses as a pace-maker of the biorhythmical function of diapause for a wide range of species is demonstrated. A common unspecific regression for the description of the level of depression of oxygen consumption with duration of diapause in crustaceans of different sizes, different orders and different types of diapause is suggested. A special significance of embryonal diapause for the adaptation of palaeo-, meso- and neolimnic species of crustaceans that migrated from the sea into inland waterbodies is postulated.