Diapause: A Great Phenomenon

Diapause is the phenomenon in Triops, wherein the development of the egg temporarily ceases and then regenerates. Such suspended animation is usually triggered by the prediction of upcoming environmental changes which are unfavorable for the affected organism.

An event such as diapause may often be regarded as hibernation, which is also a phenomenon common to animals. However, if observed closely, these two incidents are generally different from each other. When an animal undergoes hibernation, its metabolism slows down which enables it to survive long periods of extremely difficult weather conditions. On the contrary, diapause ultimately stops every cell movement and brings the body into total suspension. Moreover, diapause is triggered with the threat from environmental conditions, thus, the process occurs even before the actual climate changes.

Diapause in Various Animals »