Dissertation: Unlocking the Mysteries of Tardigrade Mate Choice: A Breakthrough in Understanding Evolutionary Strategies (Chartrain)
Tardigrades, often called "water bears", are a microscopic animal phylum renowned for their ability to withstand extreme environmental conditions. Justine Chartrain's research is the first to explore the evolutionary consequences of their intricate reproductive behaviour, offering a comprehensive understanding of tardigrade mate selection dynamics.
Exploring the mating process of water bears
The thesis uncovers significant findings at each stage of the mating process. Firstly, it shows that tardigrades can distinguish between sexes and assess their physiological state through waterborne chemical cues. Furthermore, close-range contact pheromones appear to be key drivers of courtship behaviour, which was found to be remarkably consistent across species,
"Together, these findings offer valuable insights into the mechanisms driving mating rituals among tardigrades, paving the way for a deeper understanding of intersexual chemical communication in these organisms", explains Chartrain from University of Jyväskylä
Finally, Justine Chartrain's investigation into post-mating processes revealed the remarkable resilience of tardigrade gametes to environmental stressors and suggests that female sperm storage ability has an adaptive significance for reproductive success under ecological disturbance.
Influencing on the development of novel technologies and conservation strategies
The implications of this research extend far beyond tardigrade biology. Insights gained from understanding the factors influencing reproductive success could inspire the development of novel technologies for biological material preservation and inform conservation strategies to protect these resilient microorganisms and their habitats.
"My dissertation significantly advances our understanding of tardigrade reproductive biology and its broader evolutionary significance. By unravelling the intricacies of mate choice mechanisms, this research opens doors to further exploration into the diversity and resilience of tardigrades in the face of environmental challenges", concludes Chartrain.
The examination of M.Sc. Justine Chartrain "Exploring Tardigrade Reproduction: Multifaceted Insights into Sexual Selection and Evolutionary Strategies” is held on 14.6.2024 at 12:00 at Ag B105 Agora. Opponent is Professor Jutta Schneider (University of Hamburg, Germany) and custos is Senior Researcher Sara Calhim (University of Jyväskylä).
The dissertation can be read on the JYX publication archieve: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-86-0190-6
