Recent research led by Natalie Jones, a lecturer in Ecology at Griffith University, explores the concept of dormancy in various organisms as a survival strategy. Dormancy allows species to withstand harsh environmental conditions by entering a state of inactivity until conditions improve.
The study highlights that dormancy not only benefits individual species but can also influence interspecies competition. By examining the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans, researchers categorized the worms into four groups based on their propensity for dormancy: those more inclined, less inclined, unable to enter dormancy, and wild-type worms with medium propensity.
Experiments involved these groups competing against another worm species, C. briggsae, for food under fluctuating environmental conditions. The results demonstrated that species with a greater inclination towards dormancy were able to coexist with competitors across a broader range of temperatures.
This finding supports the theoretical prediction that dormancy can enhance species resilience in changing environments. The research raises questions about the potential for dormant species to adapt to current global environmental fluctuations, such as heatwaves and droughts.
Future research aims to connect laboratory findings on dormancy with real-world dynamics in plants, animals, and microbes.