Senescence in duckweed: an interspecific comparison and the influence of temperature
Loading...
Date
2021
Authors
Paiha, Austin Paul
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of Biological Sciences
Abstract
The focus of this thesis was to compare the life history traits of three species of duckweed and investigate the impact of temperature on duckweed lifespan. A generalized pace and shape framework was employed to measure six life history traits. Results revealed pace and shape of survivorship to be conserved, while fecundity and frond size were more variable. Two temperatures were then used to determine whether duckweed lifespan was directly impacted by temperature. Results demonstrated that lower temperatures extended lifespan while higher temperatures reduced lifespan, and temporal scaling of survivorship trajectories was observed. A linear model was able to predict the average change in lifespan associated with spending a certain number of days at a high temperature and switching to a low temperature. This study provides an example of how duckweed species remain a useful model system at the forefront of evolutionary and ecological studies focusing on plant senescence.
Description
Keywords
plant senescence research , duckweed lifespan , temperature impacts on senescence , pace-shape framework , temporal scaling , demographic senescence , ramet senescence , Plants -- Aging -- Research , Duckweeds -- Aging -- Research , Duckweeds -- Effect of temperature on -- Research , Lemna -- Aging -- Research , Lemna -- Effect of temperature on -- Research , Dissertations, Academic